UK Energy Secretary charged with lying to police resigns

LONDON, Feb 3– British Energy Secretary Chris Huhne’s political career was in freefall this morning when he was forced to resign after being charged with a criminal offence following claims he persuaded his ex-wife to take his speeding points.

In a dramatic move the Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said the Liberal Democrat MP and his exwife Vicky Pryce would both be charged with perverting the course of justice –an offence that typically carries a prison sentence of more than two years.

Mr Starmer said the charge centred on claims Mr Huhne lied to investigators about who was driving a speeding car in 2003.

In a short statement to reporters he said the decision to charge him was “deeply regrettable” and insisted he was innocent.

He added: “To avoid any distraction to either my official duties or my trial defence I am standing down and resigning as energy and climate change secretary. (compiled from Daily Mail, London and Reuter reports)

Chris Huhne gave a brief statement in which he stepped down from his Energy Secretary job outside his home in London after he was charged with perverting the course of justice. (©Daily Mail, London)