The director of public prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer has just confirmed that Chris Huhne is to be charged over claims that he asked his ex-wife to take speeding points on his behalf. The speeding offence in question took place in 2003, but a criminal complaint was not made until 2011.
Speaking at a press conference, Starmer said: "All the available evidence, including the new material, has now been carefully considered by the CPS and we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce for perverting the course of justice."
It is not yet confirmed whether or not Huhne will resign from the cabinet, but it is widely assumed that he could not continue in his post as energy and climate change secretary if he is to stand trial. Huhne and Pryce are due to appear in court on the 16 February.
Whether or not he is eventually found guilty, Huhne's political career and possible leadership ambitions will have been irrepairably damaged by today's charges.
The full statement from the DPP was as follows:
"All the available evidence, including the new material, has now been carefully considered by the CPS and we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce for perverting the course of justice.
"The essence of the charges is that between March and May 2003, Mr Huhne, having allegedly committed a speeding offence, falsely informed the investigating authorities that Ms Pryce had been the driver of the vehicle in question, and she falsely accepted that she was the driver.
"Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce now stand charged with criminal offences and that they each have a right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing is said or reported that could prejudice their right to a fair trial."
UPDATE: Huhne has resigned from the cabinet. The full text of his letter was as follows:
This letter is to submit with much regret my resignation as Energy and Climate Change Secretary. I intend to mount a robust defence against the charges brought against me, and I have concluded that it would be distracting both to that effort and to my official duties if I were to continue in office.
It has been an honour to negotiate and then serve in the first coalition government of modern times which has substantial achievements both in reducing the economic dangers faced by our country, and in making progress with policies to tackle climate change and provide energy security. Internationally, we have helped to build a coalition of ambitious countries in Europe and beyond to put the United Nations process back on track.
It has been a privilege to be a minister in the coalition government, and I wish the administration every success with the environmental and economic challenges that lie ahead.
David Cameron's response to the letter:
Thank you for your letter informing me of your decision to resign from the Government. I believe you have made the right decision under the circumstances.
You have made a very significant contribution to the Government, of which you can be justly proud.
You were a member of the team which negotiated the formation of the Coalition Government between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats in those crucial days after the General Election, with our shared commitment to come together as two distinct political parties and govern in the national interest.
As Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, you have led the Government's efforts to live up to its responsibility to tackle climate change with great passion and distinction. You played a key role in securing the progress made at the Cancun and Durban summits, and I pay tribute to the leadership you showed at both. You have been determined to deliver on our pledge that this should be the greenest Government ever, recognising that cutting carbon emissions is not a luxury but a necessity. And you have relentlessly championed green growth.
Thank you too for the important contribution you have made as a member of the National Security Council since its inception, not only on security of our energy supply, but also in our discussions on Afghanistan, and during the Libya campaign.
Like the Deputy Prime Minister, I am sorry to see you leave the Government under these circumstances and wish you well for the future.
UPDATE: Nick Clegg's letter to Chris Huhne:
Dear Chris,
Thank you for your letter.
I am immensely grateful for the huge contribution you have made to the government over the past 18 months; both in the trailblazing work you have undertaken as Energy and Climate Change Secretary and in your wider role in government as a key architect of the coalition.
You have shown real leadership in your time at DECC, driving forward a key part of the government's agenda tackling the challenges of climate change and driving green growth and jobs. The Green Deal and other major initiatives that you pioneered will deliver major dividends to the public while marking a major step change in the UK's approach to the environment.
I fully understand your decision to stand down from government in order to clear your name but I hope you will be able to do so rapidly so that you can return to play a key role in government as soon as possible.
Best wishes,
Nick Clegg
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