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| Chris Huhne: how a high-flying cabinet minister was undone | Chris Huhne: how a high-flying cabinet minister was undone |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| It was late and Chris Huhne, then an MEP, was making his way home after three days sitting in the European parliament in Strasbourg. His Ryanair flight to Stansted landed at 10.27pm on 12 March 2003. There, his black BMW, with its personalised H11HNE plates, was parked, for free, in the airport car park. | It was late and Chris Huhne, then an MEP, was making his way home after three days sitting in the European parliament in Strasbourg. His Ryanair flight to Stansted landed at 10.27pm on 12 March 2003. There, his black BMW, with its personalised H11HNE plates, was parked, for free, in the airport car park. |
| As usual, he drove the 40 miles back to the family home in Clapham, south London. This was his routine, month in, month out. He could have had no notion he was about to make a decision that would, ultimately, bring about the destruction of his political career, his family and his reputation. | As usual, he drove the 40 miles back to the family home in Clapham, south London. This was his routine, month in, month out. He could have had no notion he was about to make a decision that would, ultimately, bring about the destruction of his political career, his family and his reputation. |
| An impatient driver, with a tendency for speeding and nine points already on his licence, he put his foot down that night. The speed camera on the M11 clocked his car at 11.23pm, some 21 miles south of the airport, and travelling at 69 mph. He was 19 miles over the 50 mph limit – enough to get him three penalty points. | An impatient driver, with a tendency for speeding and nine points already on his licence, he put his foot down that night. The speed camera on the M11 clocked his car at 11.23pm, some 21 miles south of the airport, and travelling at 69 mph. He was 19 miles over the 50 mph limit – enough to get him three penalty points. |
| It would be a full 10 years before Huhne, 58, would be forced to accept the consequences of his actions after that night. As is now clear from his guilty plea, he never accepted the points that resulted from his speeding. His then wife, Vicky Pryce, an economist, took the points. | It would be a full 10 years before Huhne, 58, would be forced to accept the consequences of his actions after that night. As is now clear from his guilty plea, he never accepted the points that resulted from his speeding. His then wife, Vicky Pryce, an economist, took the points. |
| By the time the speeding allegations first surfaced in the media in May 2011, Huhne had become not only the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire, but had joined the cabinet as secretary of state for energy and climate change. The Sorbonne and Oxford-educated politician, who gained a first in philosophy, politics and economics at Magdalen and earned a fortune in the City after a spell as a financial journalist with the Guardian, Independent and Independent on Sunday, had been tipped as a successor to Nick Clegg, who had narrowly defeated him for the Lib Dem leadership. | By the time the speeding allegations first surfaced in the media in May 2011, Huhne had become not only the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire, but had joined the cabinet as secretary of state for energy and climate change. The Sorbonne and Oxford-educated politician, who gained a first in philosophy, politics and economics at Magdalen and earned a fortune in the City after a spell as a financial journalist with the Guardian, Independent and Independent on Sunday, had been tipped as a successor to Nick Clegg, who had narrowly defeated him for the Lib Dem leadership. |
| By the time the allegations were published, and Essex police began an investigation that would led ultimately lead them both to the dock at Southwark crown court, Pryce was no longer his wife. He had left her after a Sunday newspaper had discovered his affair with his PR adviser Carina Trimingham, who was watching from the public gallerytoday. After a 26-year marriage, the Huhne's divorce was finalised in January 2011. They have three children and Pryce has two from a previous marriage. | By the time the allegations were published, and Essex police began an investigation that would led ultimately lead them both to the dock at Southwark crown court, Pryce was no longer his wife. He had left her after a Sunday newspaper had discovered his affair with his PR adviser Carina Trimingham, who was watching from the public gallerytoday. After a 26-year marriage, the Huhne's divorce was finalised in January 2011. They have three children and Pryce has two from a previous marriage. |
| That Huhne was prepared to lie, again and again, to save his skin, is now evident. From the moment the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday ran articles on 8 May 2011, alleging he had asked "someone close to him" to take the points, he issued denial after denial. | That Huhne was prepared to lie, again and again, to save his skin, is now evident. From the moment the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday ran articles on 8 May 2011, alleging he had asked "someone close to him" to take the points, he issued denial after denial. |
| The claims were "completely untrue", he said of the media stories. When the matter was referred to the police, they were "simply incorrect", he said, adding that he welcomed police involvement. After being charged, in February 2012, he declared: "I am innocent." He would "fight this in the courts", he added. | The claims were "completely untrue", he said of the media stories. When the matter was referred to the police, they were "simply incorrect", he said, adding that he welcomed police involvement. After being charged, in February 2012, he declared: "I am innocent." He would "fight this in the courts", he added. |
| And fight he did, right to the bitter end, to prevent the case coming before a jury. Only at the 11th hour, on the actual morning of his trial, did he finally utter the word "guilty". | And fight he did, right to the bitter end, to prevent the case coming before a jury. Only at the 11th hour, on the actual morning of his trial, did he finally utter the word "guilty". |
| The prosecution case was that it was "implausible" that anyone but Huhne could have been the driver on that night. | The prosecution case was that it was "implausible" that anyone but Huhne could have been the driver on that night. |
| The Huhnes were a two-car family; he acquired a BMW in 1998, while Pryce had a Volvo, though she was also insured to drive his car. | The Huhnes were a two-car family; he acquired a BMW in 1998, while Pryce had a Volvo, though she was also insured to drive his car. |
| At the time of the offence, he attended parliamentary sessions every month, usually flying out at 6.50am on a Monday to return, preferably on Wednesday night, though sometimes on Thursday. The usual arrangement was that Huhne would drive the BMW to the airport, park it in his free parking space, pick it up on his return and drive it home. The timings of the speeding offence fitted exactly with that routine. | At the time of the offence, he attended parliamentary sessions every month, usually flying out at 6.50am on a Monday to return, preferably on Wednesday night, though sometimes on Thursday. The usual arrangement was that Huhne would drive the BMW to the airport, park it in his free parking space, pick it up on his return and drive it home. The timings of the speeding offence fitted exactly with that routine. |
| Why, the prosecution questioned, would his wife collect him? Indeed, Huhne himself had told police that he could not remember any occasion where his wife, who hitherto had a clean licence, had collected him. | Why, the prosecution questioned, would his wife collect him? Indeed, Huhne himself had told police that he could not remember any occasion where his wife, who hitherto had a clean licence, had collected him. |
| As Andrew Edis QC, prosecuting, stated in pre-trial hearings – which can only now be reported – it was an "85‑mile round trip" for her, and "not a particularly easy journey". | As Andrew Edis QC, prosecuting, stated in pre-trial hearings – which can only now be reported – it was an "85‑mile round trip" for her, and "not a particularly easy journey". |
| On that particular night, Pryce was part of a panel at a large function at the London School of Economics, which finished between 7.30pm and 8pm. There was a dinner for the panel and guests afterwards, but none of the witnesses were able to recall whether she stayed for that. | On that particular night, Pryce was part of a panel at a large function at the London School of Economics, which finished between 7.30pm and 8pm. There was a dinner for the panel and guests afterwards, but none of the witnesses were able to recall whether she stayed for that. |
| Given that it was difficult for Huhne to get to the airport by public transport to catch his early-morning flight on the Monday, it was likely he drove, as usual – which would have meant her travelling to the airport by public transport in order to drive him home, the crown claimed. | Given that it was difficult for Huhne to get to the airport by public transport to catch his early-morning flight on the Monday, it was likely he drove, as usual – which would have meant her travelling to the airport by public transport in order to drive him home, the crown claimed. |
| "It was a routine Wednesday night. Why would she make the journey by tube and rail to Stansted?" queried Edis, especially when she had young children at home. | "It was a routine Wednesday night. Why would she make the journey by tube and rail to Stansted?" queried Edis, especially when she had young children at home. |
| Or, if he had not taken the car to the airport, she had driven an 80-odd mile round trip, which was "senseless and pointless". It would have been unusual, and also memorable. Yet Huhne had always insisted he had no memory of that night at all, the court heard. | Or, if he had not taken the car to the airport, she had driven an 80-odd mile round trip, which was "senseless and pointless". It would have been unusual, and also memorable. Yet Huhne had always insisted he had no memory of that night at all, the court heard. |
| Evidence from texts between Huhne and the couple's youngest son, Peter, then 18, were also examined as he fought for his case to be dismissed. They revealed in excruciating and painful detail the toll this was taking on Huhne's family life. | Evidence from texts between Huhne and the couple's youngest son, Peter, then 18, were also examined as he fought for his case to be dismissed. They revealed in excruciating and painful detail the toll this was taking on Huhne's family life. |
| One exchange took place on May 21 2011 – just three days before police were due to interview Huhne and Pryce. In it, Peter told his father: "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?" | One exchange took place on May 21 2011 – just three days before police were due to interview Huhne and Pryce. In it, Peter told his father: "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?" |
| The MP responded: "I have no intention of sending Mum to Holloway Prison for three months. Dad". | The MP responded: "I have no intention of sending Mum to Holloway Prison for three months. Dad". |
| His son replied: "Are you going to accept your responsibility or do I have to contact the police and tell them what you told me?" | His son replied: "Are you going to accept your responsibility or do I have to contact the police and tell them what you told me?" |
| Why had Huhne never texted an outright denial? John Kelsey-Fry QC, Huhne's barrister, sought to explain the texts had to be taken in the context of the relationship between father and son having completely broken down after the marriage split. | Why had Huhne never texted an outright denial? John Kelsey-Fry QC, Huhne's barrister, sought to explain the texts had to be taken in the context of the relationship between father and son having completely broken down after the marriage split. |
| The teenager did not want to see or speak to his father and the only way Huhne could reach out to him was through texts. Invariably he received obscenities back. | The teenager did not want to see or speak to his father and the only way Huhne could reach out to him was through texts. Invariably he received obscenities back. |
| A Christmas text from Huhne, "Happy Christmas. Love you, Dad", received the reply: "Well I hate you, so fuck off." Another, in which Huhne proclaimed pride in his son getting a place at St Peter's College, Oxford, was met with "... you have no place in my life and no right to be proud ... you are such an autistic piece of shit. Don't contact me again you make me feel sick". Huhne had replied to the texts as he did because he did not want to "inflame" the situation, said his lawyer. | A Christmas text from Huhne, "Happy Christmas. Love you, Dad", received the reply: "Well I hate you, so fuck off." Another, in which Huhne proclaimed pride in his son getting a place at St Peter's College, Oxford, was met with "... you have no place in my life and no right to be proud ... you are such an autistic piece of shit. Don't contact me again you make me feel sick". Huhne had replied to the texts as he did because he did not want to "inflame" the situation, said his lawyer. |
| Huhne's lawyer argued the case against him was "at best gossamer thin" with no evidence of him having participated in any crime. Urging the judge to dismiss it, he said "extensive and extreme" adverse publicity meant Huhne could not have a fair trial. | Huhne's lawyer argued the case against him was "at best gossamer thin" with no evidence of him having participated in any crime. Urging the judge to dismiss it, he said "extensive and extreme" adverse publicity meant Huhne could not have a fair trial. |
| Waving aloft examples, Kelsey-Fry pointed to one quoting a government official saying that they expected "Huhne to get away with it" if no evidence was found. Another quoted a senior Lib Dem official saying Huhne would "brazen it out". Online comments by readers were full of phrases such as he was "going to get away with it". | Waving aloft examples, Kelsey-Fry pointed to one quoting a government official saying that they expected "Huhne to get away with it" if no evidence was found. Another quoted a senior Lib Dem official saying Huhne would "brazen it out". Online comments by readers were full of phrases such as he was "going to get away with it". |
| The Sunday Times even ran a YouGov poll showing that 60% of people thought him guilty. "This isn't only trial by media," said the lawyer, "they have also published a verdict." | The Sunday Times even ran a YouGov poll showing that 60% of people thought him guilty. "This isn't only trial by media," said the lawyer, "they have also published a verdict." |
| But, said Edis, such a publicity circus cannot mean "that a cabinet minister cannot be tried for a crime". | But, said Edis, such a publicity circus cannot mean "that a cabinet minister cannot be tried for a crime". |
| Legal arguments took days, with a ban on reporting at the time to avoid prejudicing Huhne's trial. Huhne applied both for an application for dismissal and an application for abuse of process to get the case against him thrown out. | Legal arguments took days, with a ban on reporting at the time to avoid prejudicing Huhne's trial. Huhne applied both for an application for dismissal and an application for abuse of process to get the case against him thrown out. |
| The judge refused both. | The judge refused both. |
| Official forms concerning the speeding incident were sent to the Huhne family home in Clapham on 25 March 2003. Just three days later Huhne was spotted by police officers using his mobile phone while driving on the Old Kent Road – an offence that would lead to him being banned for six months. The forms relating to the M11 were returned to Essex police on 23 April, saying Pryce had been behind the wheel. | Official forms concerning the speeding incident were sent to the Huhne family home in Clapham on 25 March 2003. Just three days later Huhne was spotted by police officers using his mobile phone while driving on the Old Kent Road – an offence that would lead to him being banned for six months. The forms relating to the M11 were returned to Essex police on 23 April, saying Pryce had been behind the wheel. |
| Quite when Huhne decided to come clean is not known. Certainly, he entered a not-guilty plea at a hearing on Monday last week. | Quite when Huhne decided to come clean is not known. Certainly, he entered a not-guilty plea at a hearing on Monday last week. |
| It is understood that he told close family and friends of his intention to change his plea during a series of difficult conversations over the weekend. | It is understood that he told close family and friends of his intention to change his plea during a series of difficult conversations over the weekend. |
| As he contemplated a prison sentence on Monday, he must also contemplate a new future, having confided in friends that he does not plan to pursue any further career in politics. | As he contemplated a prison sentence on Monday, he must also contemplate a new future, having confided in friends that he does not plan to pursue any further career in politics. |
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