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Vicky Pryce 'chose to take' Chris Huhne's points, QC says Vicky Pryce chose to take Chris Huhne's points, QC says
(35 minutes later)
Vicky Pryce is a clever woman who took Chris Huhne's speeding points "because she chose to do so", a court has heard.Vicky Pryce is a clever woman who took Chris Huhne's speeding points "because she chose to do so", a court has heard.
Prosecuting QC Andrew Edis told Southwark Crown Court Ms Pryce was one of the UK's "most powerful, talented, intelligent" women and not someone "easily reduced to a quivering jelly". Prosecuting QC Andrew Edis told Southwark Crown Court Ms Pryce was one of the UK's "most powerful, talented, intelligent" women and not "the quivering jelly kind".
He said the couple had agreed on the decision, and she was not coerced. He said the couple had agreed on the decision, and she had not been coerced.
Ms Pryce denies perverting the course of justice. Huhne admitted the same charge last Monday, resigning as an MP. Ms Pryce denies perverting the course of justice. Huhne admitted the same charge last Monday and quit as an MP.
Liberal Democrat ex-cabinet minister Huhne and Ms Pryce, an economist, were charged over an incident in March 2003 when his car was caught by a speed camera on the M11 between Stansted Airport and London.Liberal Democrat ex-cabinet minister Huhne and Ms Pryce, an economist, were charged over an incident in March 2003 when his car was caught by a speed camera on the M11 between Stansted Airport and London.
It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce falsely informed police that she was the driver of the car so Huhne could avoid prosecution. It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce falsely informed police that she had been the driver of the car, so Huhne could avoid prosecution.
'Brilliant career''Brilliant career'
In his closing speech, Mr Edis QC told the court: "One of the most powerful, talented, intelligent and trusted women in the country wishes you to think that when she took some points for her husband in 2003 she had no real choice in doing so."In his closing speech, Mr Edis QC told the court: "One of the most powerful, talented, intelligent and trusted women in the country wishes you to think that when she took some points for her husband in 2003 she had no real choice in doing so."
But he insisted: "There's no doubt that she took his points, there's no doubt that that's a crime.But he insisted: "There's no doubt that she took his points, there's no doubt that that's a crime.
"Ms Pryce took the points because she chose to do so. She had a real choice and she exercised it in the way she did."Ms Pryce took the points because she chose to do so. She had a real choice and she exercised it in the way she did.
"You're not talking about a woman who's under the thumb of anyone. You're talking about someone who's had a brilliant career because throughout it she's made very good decisions." "You're not talking about a woman who's under the thumb of anyone. You're talking about someone who's had a brilliant career because throughout it she's made very good decisions.
"Do you really think she is easily reduced to a quivering jelly?" he asked.
"Is she the quivering jelly kind? No she isn't. Is she the kind of person who can stand her ground and make her choices? Yes she is.""Is she the quivering jelly kind? No she isn't. Is she the kind of person who can stand her ground and make her choices? Yes she is."
He added: "When two powerful, clever, affluent people choose a course of action… they do so with their eyes open."He added: "When two powerful, clever, affluent people choose a course of action… they do so with their eyes open."
'To mislead' 'Wool over eyes'
The court also heard that Ms Pryce had falsely told the Mail on Sunday that Mr Huhne's political aide - Liberal Democrat official Jo White - had taken the points, so she would not "get into trouble".The court also heard that Ms Pryce had falsely told the Mail on Sunday that Mr Huhne's political aide - Liberal Democrat official Jo White - had taken the points, so she would not "get into trouble".
Mr Edis said this was not true and the newspaper had soon discovered the "real story". Mr Edis said it was the best way of destroying her husband's career because it did not expose her to any consequences. But he added the newspaper had soon discovered the "real story".
Speaking to the jury, Mr Edis said Ms Pryce's behaviour indicated she was "trying for some reason to pull the wool over your eyes to mislead you".Speaking to the jury, Mr Edis said Ms Pryce's behaviour indicated she was "trying for some reason to pull the wool over your eyes to mislead you".
"If that's the case it fundamentally undermines her credibility," he said. "If that's the case, it fundamentally undermines her credibility," he said.
The trial continues.The trial continues.