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Chris Huhne admits perverting the course of justice Chris Huhne admits perverting the course of justice
(35 minutes later)
Former cabinet minister Chris Huhne has admitted perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him a decade ago. Chris Huhne has resigned as an MP after he admitted perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him a decade ago.
The Liberal Democrat MP, 58, changed his plea on the first day of his trial at Southwark Crown Court. He could face a prison sentence for the offence. The ex-Lib Dem cabinet minister changed his plea on the first day of his trial at Southwark Crown Court after failing in a bid to have the case dismissed.
Huhne said outside court he would stand down as MP for Eastleigh, Hampshire. His former wife, Vicky Pryce, has pleaded not guilty to the same offence.
His former wife, Vicky Pryce, has pleaded not guilty to the same offence on the grounds of marital coercion. The judge ruled that text messages from Huhne's son urging him to admit he was the driver could be used in evidence.
It has emerged Huhne made two earlier applications to get case the dismissed entirely or suspended (stayed). Mr Justine Sweeney revealed Huhne's legal team had previously made two applications to get the case dismissed or suspended (stayed), but these were not granted, allowing the trial to proceed.
'Right decision''Right decision'
Speaking outside court, Huhne said: "Having taken responsibility for something that happened 10 years ago, the only proper course of action for me is to resign my Eastleigh seat in Parliament, which I will do shortly."Speaking outside court, Huhne said: "Having taken responsibility for something that happened 10 years ago, the only proper course of action for me is to resign my Eastleigh seat in Parliament, which I will do shortly."
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said he was "shocked and saddened" by Huhne's admission but said his former challenger for the party leadership had "taken the right decision in resigning as an MP".Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said he was "shocked and saddened" by Huhne's admission but said his former challenger for the party leadership had "taken the right decision in resigning as an MP".
But for a few votes in 2007, Chris Huhne could have been deputy prime minister. Instead, his decision to plead guilty to perverting the course of justice means his career in politics is now over.But for a few votes in 2007, Chris Huhne could have been deputy prime minister. Instead, his decision to plead guilty to perverting the course of justice means his career in politics is now over.
He will almost certainly face some kind of jail sentence. He has announced he will resign from parliament.He will almost certainly face some kind of jail sentence. He has announced he will resign from parliament.
A by-election in his Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire will plunge the coalition parties into their first divisive contest in a very marginal seat. Mr Huhne's majority there is just 3,864. Eastleigh is on the Conservatives' target list for the general election and David Cameron could use this as an opportunity to silence the doubters in his own party.A by-election in his Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire will plunge the coalition parties into their first divisive contest in a very marginal seat. Mr Huhne's majority there is just 3,864. Eastleigh is on the Conservatives' target list for the general election and David Cameron could use this as an opportunity to silence the doubters in his own party.
There would be nothing like a victory over the Lib Dems to answer the critics on his own backbenches. After the Lib Dems' refusal to back boundary changes that would have helped the Tories, their blood is up for revenge.There would be nothing like a victory over the Lib Dems to answer the critics on his own backbenches. After the Lib Dems' refusal to back boundary changes that would have helped the Tories, their blood is up for revenge.
But if UKIP leader Nigel Farage chose to stand in Eastleigh, he might divide the conservative-minded vote and allow the Lib Dems to hold onto the seat. Mr Farage did stand for the Eastleigh by-election in 1994 so he knows the turf. Today he said he'd think about itBut if UKIP leader Nigel Farage chose to stand in Eastleigh, he might divide the conservative-minded vote and allow the Lib Dems to hold onto the seat. Mr Farage did stand for the Eastleigh by-election in 1994 so he knows the turf. Today he said he'd think about it
As for the Lib Dems, this is a huge blow. They have lost one of their big beasts who took the fight to the Tories.As for the Lib Dems, this is a huge blow. They have lost one of their big beasts who took the fight to the Tories.
BBC chief political correspondent Norman Smith said that by standing down, Huhne - a Lib Dem "big hitter" - was accepting that his career was over.BBC chief political correspondent Norman Smith said that by standing down, Huhne - a Lib Dem "big hitter" - was accepting that his career was over.
Prime Minister David Cameron's official spokesman declined to comment on his resignation, saying only: "It is a matter for Mr Huhne."
Huhne and Ms Pryce were charged last year over an incident in March 2003 when Huhne's car was allegedly caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London.Huhne and Ms Pryce were charged last year over an incident in March 2003 when Huhne's car was allegedly caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London.
It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce, 60, from Clapham in south London, who was still married to Huhne, falsely informed police that she was the driver of the car so he could avoid prosecution.It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce, 60, from Clapham in south London, who was still married to Huhne, falsely informed police that she was the driver of the car so he could avoid prosecution.
The prosecution revealed Huhne had a history of speeding and was in danger of losing his licence, having already accrued nine penalty points.The prosecution revealed Huhne had a history of speeding and was in danger of losing his licence, having already accrued nine penalty points.
BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was a serious offence which was invariably punished by a prison sentence - usually about six months to a year in this kind of case. 'Gossamer thin'
Huhne had vowed to fight the charges and last week pleaded not guilty.Huhne had vowed to fight the charges and last week pleaded not guilty.
But on Monday, his barrister John Kelsey-Fry QC invited the court to read the indictment to Huhne once more. His barrister, John Kelsey-Fry QC, had previously attempted to get the Huhne case thrown out of court, describing the prosecution's evidence as "insufficient", "circumstantial" and "at best gossamer thin".
He also claimed the media had constantly assumed Huhne was guilty, which meant the ex-minister could not possibly receive a fair trial.
But text messages between Huhne and his son Peter, sent in May 2011 and declared admissible in court by Mr Justice Sweeney, revealed Peter put pressure on Huhne to "accept responsibility" for the offence.
Peter said: "We all know that you were driving and you put pressure on Mum. Accept it or face the consequences. You've told me that was the case. Or will this be another lie?"
Huhne replied: "I have no intention of sending Mum to Holloway Prison for three months. Dad"
His son asked: "Are you going to accept your responsibility or do I have to contact the police and tell them what you told me?" later adding: "It's not about her its about your accepting your responsibility to me."
After days of legal argument, Mr Justice Sweeney ruled against both applications a week ago, meaning legal action could proceed.
On Monday, Mr Kelsey-Fry invited the court to read the indictment to Huhne once more, even though he had already pleaded not guilty at last week's hearing.
When the allegation of perverting the course of justice was read he quietly declared that he was guilty.When the allegation of perverting the course of justice was read he quietly declared that he was guilty.
Ms Pryce was also sitting in the dock and neither showed any emotion as he entered his plea.Ms Pryce was also sitting in the dock and neither showed any emotion as he entered his plea.
By-election
Granting Huhne unconditional bail until a sentence date to be fixed, Mr Justice Sweeney said: "As Mr Kelsey-Fry has foreshadowed, you should have no illusions whatsoever as to the sort of sentence that you are likely to receive."Granting Huhne unconditional bail until a sentence date to be fixed, Mr Justice Sweeney said: "As Mr Kelsey-Fry has foreshadowed, you should have no illusions whatsoever as to the sort of sentence that you are likely to receive."
'Gossamer thin'
Carina Trimingham, whom Huhne admitted having an affair with in 2010, ending his 26-year marriage to Ms Pryce, was in the public gallery as he appeared in court.Carina Trimingham, whom Huhne admitted having an affair with in 2010, ending his 26-year marriage to Ms Pryce, was in the public gallery as he appeared in court.
Ms Pryce's case was adjourned until 10:00 GMT on Tuesday, when a trial is expected to start.Ms Pryce's case was adjourned until 10:00 GMT on Tuesday, when a trial is expected to start.
Mr Kelsey-Fry had previously attempted to get the Huhne case thrown out of court, describing the prosecution's evidence as "circumstantial" and "at best gossamer thin". Huhne, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, resigned as energy and climate change secretary after he was charged and has now forced a by-election in his constituency.
He also claimed the media had constantly assumed Huhne was guilty, which meant the ex-minister could not possibly receive a fair trial. Nigel Farage, the leader of the UK Independence Party, said he would announce within the next 24 to 48 hours whether he would stand in the Eastleigh by-election. He previously ran for the same seat in a 1994 by-election.
After days of legal argument, last Monday Mr Justice Sweeney ruled against both applications, meaning legal action could proceed.
Huhne, from Eastleigh, resigned as energy and climate change secretary after he was charged and has now forced a by-election in his constituency.
He received a severance payment of about £17,000 when he resigned his cabinet position. Downing Street have said it was his decision whether to return the money.He received a severance payment of about £17,000 when he resigned his cabinet position. Downing Street have said it was his decision whether to return the money.
The Liberal Democrats have said Huhne intends to voluntarily remove himself from the Privy Council, meaning he will lose his "Right Honourable" title.
Lib Dem leader of Eastleigh Borough Council Keith House said Huhne's resignation was "very, very sad," and described him as a hardworking MP.Lib Dem leader of Eastleigh Borough Council Keith House said Huhne's resignation was "very, very sad," and described him as a hardworking MP.
Motoring organisation the AA said the Huhne case has sent " a clear message" to drivers who decides to, or considers, asking another person to take points on their behalf.
AA research suggests as many as a 330,000 people may have tried to circumvent the law in this way. The group's president Edmund King said many drivers do not recognise the "serious nature" of this offence.
He added: "Often drivers will be charged with perverting the course of justice which typically results in a four to nine month prison sentence or a large fine.
"The best advice is to stick to speed limits to avoid detection in the first place."