Chris Huhne resigns after being charged with perverting the course of justice

By Ian Dunt

Chris Huhne has stepped down as energy secretary after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) brought charges of perverting the course of justice against him.

His ex-wife, Vickie Pryce, also faces charges. The pair must appear in court on February 16th.

Mr Huhne branded the CPS decision "deeply regrettable".

He added: "I'm innocent of these charges and I intend to fight them in the courts and I'm confidence a jury will agree. I am standing down and resigning as energy and climate change secretary.

"I will of course continue to serve my constituents in Eastleigh."

Mr Huhne has consistently argued his innocence. If found guilty, he faces a custodial sentence.

He is alleged to have asked Ms Pryce, his wife at the time, to take the penalty points for a speeding offence.

Once the announcement was made, rumours exploded about a Liberal Democrat reshuffle at Cabinet.

Some speculated that David Laws, who lost his job as chief secretary to the Treasury just weeks after entering government, could return to government, possibly as an adviser to Nick Clegg.

Ed Davey, currently under-secretary at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, is expected to become energy secretary.

He is a confident media performer, but the loss of Mr Huhne takes away a powerful Liberal Democrat voice at the Cabinet table.

Mr Huhne, who narrowly lost the leadership fight for the party against Mr Clegg, is a robust defender of Lib Dem policies in government, not least during the AV referendum, when he led the attack against Tory campaign tactics.