Prosecutors receive key Huhne case emails (From Daily Echo)

Eastleigh MP awaits charges decision over speeding points allegation

11:50am Thursday 26th January 2012 in Eastleigh

PROSECUTORS last night received key emails in the speeding case of Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne.

The Energy Secretary is now due to find out within weeks whether he will be charged for allegedly asking his ex-wife to take speeding points on his behalf.

It comes after the Sunday Times dropped its challenge to a court ruling ordering evidence to be disclosed last Friday. The material is believed to include exchanges between the newspaper’s political editor and Mr Huhne’s ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, over allegations that she accepted penalty points on his behalf.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed last night that lawyers have taken possession of the material from police and begun reviewing it. The news came just hours after it was reported that Mr Huhne had spent more than £1m on a new London home.

The grade II listed property in Clerkenwell was previously a pub but is now a flat and offices. It is reported that the millionaire MP bought the property for £1.25m.

Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce divorced earlier this year after 26 years of marriage.

Essex Police have been investigating the case, which relates to a speeding offence in March 2003, for eight months. An initial evidence file was delivered to the CPS last July.

Mr Huhne, who has repeatedly denied any wrong-doing, was unavailable for comment last night.