Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Chris Huhne denies reports of 'mocking' by staff and inmates on first day at Wandsworth prison

Former Cabinet minister's partner disputes that there were Tannoy announcements and that Huhne was sent to vulnerable prisoners wing

Thursday 14 March 2013 12:22 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Disgraced former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne this evening denied reports that he was ridiculed on his first day in jail by a warder calling him to breakfast shouting “Order! Order!”.

The Sun newspaper first reported yesterday that the prison officer, using the Tannoy system in Wandsworth jail, mimicked the Commons Speaker by adding: “The right honourable member for Wandsworth North - down to the office.”

Other prisoners at the south-west London jail were said to have roared with laughter as Huhne went from his cell to pick up the meal.

The newspaper also reported that 58-year-old Huhne had been moved to a wing for vulnerable prisoners because other convicts humiliated and bullied him and badgered him for cash.

But last night Huhne’s partner, Carina Trimingham, disputed that there had been a tannoy announcement calling him to breakfast. She also said the suggestion that Huhne had been moved to a segregation wing for vulnerable prisoners – or had asked to be moved – was wrong.

Having made her first visit to Wandsworth prison this morning, she denied that Huhne has been bullied or ridiculed by prisoners or prison officers, or that he had been asked for money.

Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce were handed eight-month jail sentences at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday for perverting the course of justice when Pryce took speeding points for Huhne in 2003.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in