Huhne wife claims 'marital coercion' in court

By Ian Dunt

The strange drama of Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce took another unpredictable turn today, when she claimed she was subject to "marital coercion" in court.

The pair again refused to even glance at each other as they sat close together behind enforced glass, despite 26 years of marriage.

Mr Huhne did not enter a plea because he will apply to dismiss the charge against him at future hearing, but Ms Pryce pled not guilty to perverting the course of justice by accepting a speeding penalty for her then-husband.

The 'marital coercion' argument is rarely used and quite antiquated, according to legal experts, but some sources indicated it was relatively easy to prove.

Mr Huhne stepped down from his role as energy secretary to fight to legal battle but he remains Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh.