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Vicky Pryce jury is discharged Vicky Pryce jury discharged in Huhne speeding points case
(35 minutes later)
The jury in the trial of ex-minister Chris Huhne's former wife Vicky Pryce has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict. The jury trying ex-minister Chris Huhne's former wife Vicky Pryce has failed to reach a verdict on a charge relating to speeding points she took for him 10 years ago.
Ms Pryce, 60, from Clapham, London, was accused of perverting the course of justice by taking the former energy secretary's speeding points in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, of Clapham, London, faces a retrial before a new jury on Monday.
She denied the charge, saying he had coerced her into taking the points. She denied perverting the course of justice, saying Huhne had coerced her into taking the points in 2003.
Huhne, 58, has admitted perverting the course of justice and resigned as Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire.Huhne, 58, has admitted perverting the course of justice and resigned as Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire.
Ms Pryce will face a retrial, which could be as early as next week. 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, in Essex, and London.
Ms Pryce's barrister Julian Knowles QC told the court she was suffering from high blood pressure, due to stress. 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, then an MEP with hopes of becoming an MP, could avoid a driving ban.
Ms Pryce accepted, during her trial, that she had taken Huhne's points, but she adopted a defence of marital coercion, claiming he had made her sign a form he had already completed in her name.
Majority direction
The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, had earlier on Wednesday given the jury a majority direction, telling them he would accept a verdict on which at least 10 of the 12 jurors agreed.
But later he received a note from them saying it was "highly unlikely" they would be able to reach a majority verdict.
He then told the jury: "Against the background of the length of time that you have been in retirement already, I have decided therefore, and it is my decision one way or the other, that I must discharge you from any further deliberations."
Ms Pryce watched with her chin in her hand as the jury were discharged having been deliberating since last week.
BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was unusual for a jury to ask so many questions, including one in which they had asked whether they could speculate on what had been in Ms Pryce's mind.BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was unusual for a jury to ask so many questions, including one in which they had asked whether they could speculate on what had been in Ms Pryce's mind.
He said another question was: "Can a juror come to a verdict based on a reason that was not presented in court and has no facts or evidence to support it either from the prosecution or defence?"He said another question was: "Can a juror come to a verdict based on a reason that was not presented in court and has no facts or evidence to support it either from the prosecution or defence?"
Our correspondent said he suspected sentencing of Huhne would probably have to wait until after the retrial. Our correspondent said he suspected sentencing of Huhne would probably have to wait until after the retrial. Huhne could face a prison sentence.
Huhne could face a prison sentence.
A by-election is being held in Eastleigh on 28 February to find a replacement for Huhne.A by-election is being held in Eastleigh on 28 February to find a replacement for Huhne.