Huhne tells PM he will mount “robust defence'' to speeding charges (From Daily Echo)

Chris Huhne tells Prime Minister David Cameron he denies perverting the course of justice

12:06pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Eastleigh

Chris Huhne tells the PM in his resignation letter he will mount ''a robust defence'' against the charge he perverting the course of justice over a speeding penalty.

In a letter of resignation to the Prime Minister, The Eastleigh MP said he was standing down as energy and climate change secretary to mount ''a robust defence'' against the charge he asked his ex-wife to take a speeding penalty for him.

Remaining in the Cabinet would be ''distracting'' both to his legal fight and to his Government work, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he hoped his Liberal Democrat colleague would ''rapidly'' clear his name to ''return to play a key role in government as soon as possible''.

In a letter to Mr Huhne, Mr Cameron said he had made ''the right decision under the circumstances'' and wished him well for the future. But the Prime Minister made no mention of a possible return to Government after the court case is concluded.

Mr Huhne's departure will force what is expected to be a limited Government reshuffle, with business minister Ed Davey tipped by senior sources for promotion into his former post.

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

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

It is alleged that Mr Huhne persuaded his ex-wife to take penalty points for a 2003 speeding offence on his behalf to avoid losing his driving licence.

Mr Huhne announced his resignation in a 30-second statement outside his London home, less than an hour after Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer announced the decision to charge him.

Describing the prosecution as ''deeply regrettable'', the 57-year-old MP said: ''I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts and I am confident that a jury will agree.''