Chris Huhne and ex-wife appear in court accused of perverting course of justice
Former energy secretary's case adjourned to March 2 at Southwark Crown Court
Former energy secretary Chris Huhne made his first appearance in
court today over a charge of perverting the course of justice after he
allegedly dodged a speeding penalty.
Prosecutors claim the wealthy Liberal Democrat politician persuaded
his ex-wife Vicky Pryce to take points that should have been placed on
his driving licence in 2003.
His car was allegedly caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London in March 2003.
Accusations of impropriety did not emerge until after the MP's
26-year marriage ended in 2010 as a result of his affair with PR adviser
Carina Trimingham.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charge earlier this
month, leading Huhne to step down from his role as energy and climate
change secretary although he remains Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh
in Hampshire.
Almost a decade later, the pair barely exchanged a glance as they stood in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court, in central London, where they face the same charge.
Huhne, dressed in a dark suit and patterned tie, listened intently as the charge against him was read to the court.
His former wife, an eminent economist, sat several seats away from her ex-husband in a cropped beige jacket and black high-heeled shoes.
The pair faced away from each other as the charges were read out during the hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes.
Huhne and Pryce spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.
The court heard the case would be adjourned to March 2 at Southwark Crown Court.
Both defendants were granted unconditional bail.
Almost a decade later, the pair barely exchanged a glance as they stood in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court, in central London, where they face the same charge.
Huhne, dressed in a dark suit and patterned tie, listened intently as the charge against him was read to the court.
His former wife, an eminent economist, sat several seats away from her ex-husband in a cropped beige jacket and black high-heeled shoes.
The pair faced away from each other as the charges were read out during the hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes.
Huhne and Pryce spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.
The court heard the case would be adjourned to March 2 at Southwark Crown Court.
Both defendants were granted unconditional bail.
