THE PRIME minister has come out in support of a cabinet minister at the centre of a political storm.

David Cameron said he still has full confidence in secretary of state for energy and climate change and Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne.

This news comes after further reports today that claim his now ex-wife Vicky Pryce took the penalty points for a speeding offence he had committed.

Downing Street's comments represent the first official response to the allegations, Mr Cameron's spokesman said: "Chris Huhne denies all the allegations."

The spokesman indicated Mr Huhne could still retain his cabinet post while any investigation is carried out.

Over the weekend there were reports of a taped conversation in which Mr Huhne is said to be recorded discussing the alleged incident and how to stop the story getting into the press.

Following these claims and a formal complaint made by Labour MP Simon Danczuk a senior detective from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate has been appointed to establish if this offence took place and the allegations around it.Det Supt Tim Wills said: "We take any allegations of criminal offences extremely seriously.

"However, an investigation will not be formally launched until our enquiries show that an offence has been committed. This is the work that my team and I will be carrying out this week."

The alleged incident is said to have happened in 2003 when Mr Huhne was an MEP.