Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today denied allegations that he asked another person to take driving penalty points on his behalf for a speeding offence.

The claims, relating to a time when Mr Huhne was a Hampshire MEP, surfaced in interviews given by his estranged wife Vicky Pryce.

Asked whether Mr Huhne had persuaded someone else to take his punishment after being allegedly caught speeding in 2003, she is reported to have said: “Yes, he did. But there is such huge pressure on politicians to be everywhere at once and he does drive a bit like a maniac.”

Mr Pryce, 57, an economist who has held several senior government posts, added that her husband had later lost his licence after another offence.

However a spokesman for the Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary said: “The allegations made against Chris Huhne are simply incorrect.

“These allegations have been made before and have been shown to be untrue.”

Mr Huhne, 56, was elected Eastleigh MP at the 2005 general election. He was runner-up to Nick Clegg in the 2007 contest for leadership of the party after the departure of Sir Menzies Campbell.

Mrs Pryce is his wife of 26 years and mother of three of his children. Mr Huhne left her last year after an affair with former aide Carina Trimingham.