Judge Constance Briscoe In Court Over Huhne Case

One of the country's most prominent black female judges has appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice.

Constance Briscoe, 56, is accused of providing false information to Essex Police about the Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce speeding points case.

Ms Briscoe is accused of providing police with two statements which were inaccurate between 16 May 2011 and 6 October 2012.

The second allegation, dated 6 October 2012, claims she produced a copy of a witness statement that had been altered and maintained it was the correct version.

During a short hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, the barrister and part-time judge confirmed her name and address before the charges were read to her.

The case was sent to Southwark Crown Court and adjourned until July 2.

Ms Briscoe was given unconditional bail until the next court hearing.

The judge is a neighbour of Pryce.

Both Huhne and Pryce were jailed for eight months earlier this year after Pryce agreed to accept her husband's speeding points.

The case cost Huhne his job as Energy and Climate Change Secretary and his Eastleigh seat in Parliament.

Pryce, a high profile economist, was found guilty after fighting the charges - arguing she had been bullied into accepting the points by her ex-husband.

Both Huhne and Pryce were released from prison in May.