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Vicky Pryce 'wanted revenge' over ex-husband Chris Huhne's affair Vicky Pryce 'wanted revenge' over ex-husband Chris Huhne's affair
(35 minutes later)
Chris Huhne's former wife passed the story about his speeding offence to the press in revenge for his extra-marital affair, a court has heard. Chris Huhne's former wife passed the story about his speeding offence to the press in revenge for his extra-marital affair, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Prosecutors at Southwark Crown Court allege that Vicky Pryce took Huhne's speeding points for him a decade ago. Prosecutors say Vicky Pryce, 60, took speeding points for Huhne a decade ago.
Ms Pryce, 60, from south London, denies perverting the course of justice. The jury was read an email from 2011 - after she found out about Huhne's affair - in which Ms Pryce, of Clapham, London, said she wanted to "nail him".
On Monday - the first day of his trial - Huhne admitted the same charge after failing in a bid to have the case dismissed. He later resigned as an MP. She denies perverting the course of justice. Huhne admitted the same charge on Monday and later resigned as an MP.
Ex-Lib Dem cabinet minister Huhne and Ms Pryce, an economist, were charged last year over an incident in March 2003 when Huhne's car was caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London.Ex-Lib Dem cabinet minister Huhne and Ms Pryce, an economist, were charged last year over an incident in March 2003 when Huhne's car was 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, 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, who was still married to Huhne, falsely informed police that she was the driver of the car so he could avoid prosecution.
'Destroy his career''Destroy his career'
The speeding offence only came to light in 2011 when Huhne told Ms Pryce he was having an affair. The speeding offence only became public in 2011 after Huhne told Ms Pryce he was having an affair, the court heard.
"She was not only distressed but extremely angry and wanted some revenge and her revenge was to pass the story about the 2003 crime to the newspapers so that it would be published in the hope that would destroy her husband's career," said Andrew Edis, opening the prosecution case against Ms Pryce. "She was not only distressed but extremely angry and wanted some revenge and her revenge was to pass the story about the 2003 crime to the newspapers so that it would be published in the hope that would destroy her husband's career," said Andrew Edis QC, opening the prosecution case against Ms Pryce.
He said it was Ms Pryce's plan that "she would get revenge by 'putting an end to all that'". The jury of eight women and four men heard details of email exchanges between Sunday Times political editor Isabel Oakeshott and Ms Pryce from 1 March 2011 as they discussed how to publicise the crime.
The jury heard details of email exchanges between Sunday Times political editor Isabel Oakeshott and Ms Pryce as they discussed how they could bring about a story, Ms Oakeshott told her a "major two-part article" would inflict "maximum and perhaps fatal damage on Chris if you are prepared to be open", Mr Edis told the court.
Ms Oakeshott told her a story would inflict "maximum and perhaps fatal damage on Chris", Mr Edis told the court. Mr Edis said Ms Oakeshott told her it would fulfil her dual objective - "bringing Chris down without damaging your own reputation in the process".
Ms Pryce responded in email: "I definitely want to nail him. More than ever, I would love to do it soon."Ms Pryce responded in email: "I definitely want to nail him. More than ever, I would love to do it soon."
Ms Oakeshott later replied: "The bottom line is that this story will bring Chris down if you are prepared to go on the record, with the minor risk this carries.
"I think you can make yourself out to be very much the honourable one, saying it has very much been on your conscience ever since, saying you knew it was wrong but you were bullied into it."
Mr Edis went on: "Mr Huhne was charged, he did resign, yesterday he pleaded guilty, he's not a cabinet minister any more. The plan worked."
'Worked together''Worked together'
Mr Edis said Huhne could not have passed his points to Ms Pryce on his own - they would have worked together. Mr Edis said Ms Pryce would now use a special legal defence available only to wives, saying that she was coerced by him into taking them.
He said both people had to "play ball", adding: "You can't actually do it on your own." The court also heard Ms Pryce got a recording device from the newspaper to try to tape him over the phone admitting to the offence.
Mr Edis told the court the speeding ticket system, administered by post, was still a "course of justice" and therefore the charge of perverting the course of justice could be made. Mr Edis said: "Mr Huhne didn't fall for it. He denied repeatedly the suggestion... he said it was all ridiculous."
He said a speeding offence "might not seem like a big deal, it might not seem like it really matters but ultimately it does matter". The system, he said, would not work if "everyone fiddles it". The court will be played the recordings later.
Ms Pryce is claiming she was subject to "marital coercion" which the court heard would only be the case if she had no choice but to agree to Mr Huhne's demand to take the points. At the start of the hearing, Mr Edis said Huhne could not have passed his points to Ms Pryce on his own - they would have worked together.
He said both people had to "play ball".
Mr Edis told the court a speeding offence "might not seem like a big deal, it might not seem like it really matters but ultimately it does matter". The system, he said, would not work if "everyone fiddles it".