Feedback

The Live Wire

  • Paul Waugh | SkyNews proving they not in Murdoch's pocket. Sticking with Leveson rather than ...

    • source icon
    • 11:27
    • Paul Waugh

  • Donal Blaney | Blair at Leveson? If he were PM who'd have ended up with their wrists cut in som...

    • source icon
    • 11:25
    • Donal Blaney

  • John Prescott | Come out of great meeting discussing a new low carbon approach for Preston Road....

    • source icon
    • 11:25
    • John Prescott

  • lucy manning | Latest arrest of 37 yr old woman on payments to police from info from News Corp'...

    • source icon
    • 11:22
    • Lucy Manning

  • Adam Smith.."I often say things which are not Mr Hunt's opinion." #leveson

    • source icon
    • 11:22
    • Norman Smith

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

  • PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

    • Sign up to see last 24 hours

You are here: News front page > Huhne defends his innocence


Select Story:

Huhne defends his innocence

Huhne defends his innocence
David Cameron has said that Chris Huhne made the right decision "given the circumstances" in choosing to step down as Energy and Climate Change Secretary. Mr Huhne has maintained his innocence after the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that he would be charged over allegations he asked his ex-wife to take speeding points on his behalf.

Ed Davey will replace Mr Huhne as Energy Secretary, with Norman Lamb taking over Mr Davey’s Business brief. Jo Swinson has been appointed as Nick Clegg's PPS, and No 10 has said that Norman Lamb's PPS will be announced this afternoon, with speculation that it will go to David Laws.

In a letter to Mr Huhne, Nick Clegg said that he hoped he could clear his name "rapidly... so that you can return to play a key role in Government as soon as possible".

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, the Deputy Prime Minister said he understood why Mr Huhne had chosed to step down, and added that were the former Energy Secretary to clear his name he would like to see him return to a "key position" in government.

In a statement earlier, Mr Huhne said: “The Crown Prosecution Service’s decision today is deeply regrettable. I’m innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts and I’m confident that a jury will agree.

“So as to avoid any distraction to either my official duties or my trial defence, I am standing down and resigning as Energy and Climate Change Secretary. I will of course continue to serve my constituents in Eastleigh.”

In his resignation letter to David Cameron, the Liberal Democrat MP said it had been “an honour” and a “privilege” to be part of the Coalition, and reiterated that he would “mount a robust defence” against the charges. Replying to the letter, the Prime Minister said Mr Huhne had made the “right decision” and praised his “very significant contribution to the Government”.

Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said in a statement this morning that both the former Energy Secretary and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce have been charged with perverting the course of justice, and will appear in court on February 16th.

Speaking before the CPS delivered their verdict in an exclusive interview for The House magazine, Mr Clegg said he had "no idea" about the CPS plans and insisted he and Mr Huhne, though once rivals, "go back a long way".

To add your views to the debate on this story click here

Green Box: Huhne defends his innocenceClick to open

+ Expand all - Collapse all

Recommended External Links

|

|

|

|

|

|

Leave a comment...

Related member news


Full access for £19 a month...

PoliticsHome PRO Find out more

Related PRO Content

Free Trial

The House Magazine

Nick Clegg: Rowing through the Storms

02/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Chris Huhne stands down and describes the CPS decision as 'deeply regrettable'

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Chris Huhne's resignation letter to David Cameron

03/02/2012

Press Release

Friends of the Earth: Chris Huhne resignation

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

David Cameron's letter to Chris Huhne, accepting his resignation

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Chris Huhne's letter to Nick Clegg after his resignation

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Nick Clegg's letter to Chris Huhne

03/02/2012

On air

Lembit Opik: The Lib Dems have a lot of problems but Chris Huhne isn't one of them

03/02/2012 on Daily Politics, BBC2

On air

Simon Danczuk: End of Huhne saga is good for the Government

03/02/2012 on Sky News

On air

Norman Baker: Chris Huhne has done the right thing

03/02/2012 on Sky News

On air

Chris Davies: Huhne could rub Clegg up the wrong way

03/02/2012 on Daily Politics, BBC2

On air

Bill Newton Dunn: None of us are irreplaceable

03/02/2012

Press Release

Ministeria​l appointmen​ts: Her Majesty's Government

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Vince Cable: We are confident Huhne will clear his name

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Nick Clegg: I understand Chris Huhne's decision

03/02/2012

Press Release

Labour: Appointment of new Energy and Climate Change Secretary is opportunity for Government to change course - Flint

03/02/2012

Press Release

Liberal Democrats: Jo Swinson appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Mark Littlewood: Huhne's exit is a pretty big loss for the party

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Sir Graham Watson: Huhne would be an asset to any govt

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

David Cameron: Huhne made the right decision to resign

03/02/2012

Press Release

IPPR Memo to Ed Davey

03/02/2012

On air

Evan Harris: Huhne resignation places the onus on Clegg to stand up in Govt

03/02/2012

PoliticsHome News

Ed Davey: Today has been a sad day for the Liberal Democrats

03/02/2012

Press Release

Labour: Chris Huhne should forfeit ministerial severance pay - Evans

03/02/2012

On air

Jo Swinson: Huhne will certainly be missed from government

03/02/2012 on BBC News

Press Release

Christian Aid: Huhne a strong champion of climate action

03/02/2012

On air

Lord Steel: Huhne was 'in a sense hounded out'

03/02/2012 on BBC Radio 4 PM

On air

Evan Harris: Chris Huhne will be missed

03/02/2012 on Channel 4 News

PoliticsHome News

Andy Burnham: Chris Huhne made it difficult for the Govt

03/02/2012 on Any Questions?, BBC Radio 4

On air

Simon Hughes: Ed Davey will be equally robust on climate change

03/02/2012 on Newsnight, BBC2

Latest PRO Contnet

Free Trial

On Air

Summaries and transcripts from TV and radio

David Cameron: Giving Hunt BSkyB role was the right thing to do

1 hour ago on This Morning, ITV1

Nichola Sturgeon: Scotland should take a population share of Britain’s national debt

3 hours ago on Today, BBC Radio 4

Charles Kennedy: Independent Scotland is viable but not desirable

3 hours ago on Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live

See all On Air

Commons Reports

Leader of the House outlines Commons business

24/05/2012

Transcript

Jeremy Hunt memo on BSkyB takeover

24/05/2012

See all Transcripts

Press Releases

SNP: Comment on Public Account Committee Defence Report

1 hour ago

See all Press Releases

Lobby Briefings

No 10: Hard for UK to prosper if rest of Europe doesn't grow

24/05/2012

See all Lobby Briefings