This time last year Chris Huhne resigned his post as Energy Secretary after being charged with perverting the course of justice. In a short statement at the time he claimed: “I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts, and I am confident that a jury will agree.”
How things have changed.
This morning Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife Vicky Pryce took speeding points for him a decade ago. Pryce, has pleaded not guilty to the same offence on the grounds of marital coercion.
It has just been confirmed that Huhne is to resign his #Eastleigh seat sparking the first real electoral clash between the Coalition parties. Big question is will the Liberal Democrat vote collapse? And what will happen to the Tories under pressure from UKIP. The race is wide open. BBC’s Norman Smith says the by-election in Eastleigh will develop into an “altmightly Coalition bust-up”. One can only hope.
While Nick Clegg will certainly not be sorry to see a rival go this could lead to a bad day at the polls for his party.
