The Secretary of State for Energy Chris Huhne has announced he has resigned following the “deeply regrettable” decision to charge him.
The Lib Dem MP confirmed his decision less than an hour after the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, announced Huhne would be charge with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
In a defiant tone, Huhne told reporters the CPS decision was “deeply regrettable” and said he was standing down to “avoid any distractions from my Parliamentary work or my trial defence”.
He added: “I am standing down... I have resigned, but I will of course continue to serve my constituency of Eastleigh.
“I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts and I am confident that a jury will agree.”
Mr Huhne and his former wife Vicky Pryce have both been charged with the same offence following allegations that he asked her to accept speeding points on his behalf.
They will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on February 16th.
The pair now face the prospect of a criminal trial over allegations that they conspired to pervert the course of justice. The offence carries a maximum life sentence.
Business Minister Ed Davey is now expected to replace Huhne as the head of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
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