EASTLEIGH MP Chris Huhne has landed himself a lucrative new job as an energy consultant - just months after quitting as Energy Secretary to fight court charges.

The Lib Dem, who is expected to stand trial next year over accusations he perverted the course of justice by dodging a speeding fine, has taken a £42,000-a-year advisory role at Nationwide Energy Services.

The green company specialises in home energy efficiency, providing advice to people wanting loft and cavity wall insulation and solar panels.

Mr Huhne has listed the post on the latest register of MPs' interests.

The entry states he is a “consultant providing advice on business strategy and policy” for the Swansea-based company.

He has already been paid £20,500 for the role, which he received on October 22 - a £10,000 signing-on fee, plus a retainer of £3,500 a month in advance for work in October, November and December.

Mr Huhne said he expects to spend eight hours a month completing his duties, giving him an hourly rate of £437.

He quit the Cabinet in February to fight the criminal charges that he and ex-wife Vicky Pryce lied about who was driving when his car was caught speeding on a motorway in 2003.

Mr Huhne has always vehemently denied the claims.

The role is reported to have been cleared by Whitehall as not having a conflict of interest.

Before he left his role as Energy Secretary, Mr Huhne unveiled the coalition government's “green deal” initiative offering a cash incentive to homeowners for insulating their homes.

Nationwide is one of the firms expecting to deliver the loan scheme.