THE re-trial was due to start today of Vicky Pryce, the former wife of disgraced Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne.

Pryce, 60, of Crescent Grove, Clapham, denies perverting the course of justice by taking the former Cabinet minister’s speeding points in 2003.

Huhne, 58, the former Energy Secretary who admitted the charge on the first day of his trial on February 4, will be sentenced at the end of Pryce’s retrial. He is expected to be jailed.

Pryce admits taking the points for Huhne but denies the charge, claiming he forced her to do it.

The judge in Pryce’s trial was forced to dismiss the 12 jurors last week after expressing concerns that they had not understood the case or their job.

After deliberating for two days, they sent the judge a list of questions including: “Can a juror come to a verdict based on a reason that was not presented in court and has no facts or evidence to support it, either from the prosecution or defence?”

The trial at Southwark Crown Court, before a new jury, is expected to last five days.

The by-election in Eastleigh caused by Huhne’s resignation will be held on Thursday.