Constance Briscoe Charged Over Huhne Case

Leading lawyer and part-time judge Constance Briscoe has been charged with intending to pervert the course of justice.

Ms Briscoe faces two counts of the offence in connection with the case of former minister Chris Huhne and his estranged wife Vicky Pryce.

She has said she is "deeply distressed" by the charges and will "fight the allegations in court".

The first count alleges that, between May 2011 and October 2012, she provided police with two statements that were inaccurate.

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

Briscoe is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 24, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

CPS senior lawyer Deborah Walsh said: "We have today authorised the Kent and Essex Police serious crime directorate to charge Constance Briscoe with two counts of intending to pervert the course of public justice.

"This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that these charges are in the public interest."