Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne denies lying about speeding offence and will go on trial next week charged with perverting the course of justice

 

Paul Peachey
Monday 28 January 2013 14:05 GMT
Comments

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.

The former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne today denied lying about a 10-year-old speeding offence and will go on trial next week charged with perverting the course of justice.

Mr Huhne, 58, is accused of falsely informing Essex police that his ex-wife had been driving their car when it was clocked exceeding the speed limit on March 12, 2003, so that she would take the speeding points and he would avoid punishment.

The politician stood in the dock at Southwark Crown Court with his hands clasped in front of him and said clearly “not guilty” when he was accused of the offence.

Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce, 60, were charged with the same offence last February and will both go on trial next Monday at the central London court.

Ms Pryce has previously denied the charge on grounds of marital coercion. They are both on bail.

Mr Huhne, the former Energy Secretary, resigned from the Cabinet to fight the charge but remains the MP for Eastleigh. The accusation against Mr Huhne came to light following the acrimonious break-up of his 26-year marriage in 2010 when he admitted an affair with an aide, Carina Trimingham.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

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