By Richard Johnstone | 3 February 2012
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has resigned from the government after being charged with perverting the course of justice over a 2003 speeding case.
He has been replaced at the Department of Energy and Climate Change by fellow Liberal Democrat Ed Davey, who was the employment relations minister at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.Huhne today stood down after the Crown Prosecution Service announced that he and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce will face charges in relation to claims she accepted his penalty points for speeding. Both will appear in court on February 16.
In his resignation letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, Huhne said he would ‘mount a robust defence’ against the charges. However, he said it would be distraction from his ministerial duties if he continued in office.
He added: ‘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.’
Replying, Cameron said that Huhne had ‘made the right decision under the circumstances’.
He added: ‘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 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.’
Davey has been replaced at the DBIS by Norman Lamb, who was assistant government whip and parliamentary private secretary to Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Jenny Willott, LibDem MP for Cardiff Central, joins the Whips Office in Lamb’s place, while East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson takes over as Clegg’s parliamentary private secretary.
