Huhne and ex-wife charged over speeding claims (From Daily Echo)
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Crown Prosecution Service charge Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce with perverting the course of justice
10:00am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Eastleigh
Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce
EASTLEIGH MP and energy secretary Chris Huhne will face charges for dodging a speeding penalty.
The announcement, following an eight-month police investigation, was made in a televised statement by Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC.
The decision is expected to spell the end of the Liberal Democrat's Cabinet career.
His ex-wife, economist Vicky Pryce, has also been charged.
They will be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice.
They are due to appear in court on February 16.
The alleged incident dates back nearly a decade, but only emerged after Mr Huhne admitted an affair with PR adviser Carina Trimingham in 2010 and ended his marriage.
Mr Huhne has consistently denied claims that he was the one behind the wheel and that Ms Pryce admitted the offence because he would have faced a ban if he collected any more penalty points.
Both Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce were interviewed by detectives before the case was handed to the CPS.
Mr Huhne's Lib Dem and Tory colleagues have expressed support for his remaining in post during the investigation.
It is understood Mr Huhne was told of the decision shortly before the decision was made public.
The decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to press charges will place enormous pressure on Mr Huhne to quit his ministerial post and his membership of David Cameron's Cabinet.
He is expected to announce his intentions shortly.
Downing Street has so far declined to say whether Mr Cameron - who is out of London on a regional visit today - will sack the energy secretary and stage a reshuffle.
There has been fevered speculation at Westminster about the ramifications if the senior Lib Dem was charged.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned it would be a ''very serious issue'', and insisted the coalition was determined to uphold the ''highest standards of probity'' among ministers.
The Cabinet Secretary is also reported to have made clear Mr Huhne would have to resign in those circumstances.
Many believe David Cameron will use any departure to stage a wider reshuffle.
