Chris Huhne resigns but insists: "I'm innocent" (From Daily Echo)

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne vows to fight charges after resigning as energy and climate change secretary over speeding offence allegations

10:57am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

Chris Huhne has resigned as energy and climate change secretary after being charged with perverting the course of justice over allegations that he asked his ex-wife to take a speeding penalty for him.

Mr Huhne and his former wife, economist Vicky Pryce, who faces the same charge, will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on February 16.

Although he has resigned his post, under the 1991 Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act, the Lib Dem is allowed three months-worth of his £68,827 annual ministerial pay, the Cabinet Office said.

That entitles Mr Huhne to £17,207, if he chooses to accept it.

The perverting the course of justice charge - which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment - will eventually be heard by a judge at Crown Court.

Speaking at his London home less than an hour after the decision to prosecute was announced, Mr Huhne, 57, said he was quitting David Cameron's Cabinet in order to fight to clear his name.

''I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts and I am confident that a jury will agree,'' he said.

He said he was resigning from his Cabinet post “to avoid any distraction" and added: “I will, of course, continue to serve my constituency.”