Chris Huhne likely to step down after speeding charges confirmed
Chris Huhne has been charged with perverting the course of justice and will almost certainly have to step down from his position as energy and climate change secretary.
The matter dates back to allegations he forced his now ex-wife Vicky Pryce to accept penalty points for a speeding offence on his behalf to dodge a ban in 2003.
Both Huhne and Pryce will face charges, the Crown Prosecution Service announced this morning, and will appear in court on February 16.
Discussions between David Cameron and Nick Clegg are thought to have concluded with both men agreeing Huhne cannot remain in his job while fighting a legal battle to clear his name. Huhne has also said he would step down from his position to concentrate on fighting the case.
Huhne has been a strong advocate of the green agenda within the cabinet and so his removal will come as a blow to green businesses who have appreciated someone in the role of sufficient stature to fend off Treasury cost-cutting.
"Huhne mostly did good job - stood up to Osborne & really got that clean energy = economic opportunity & jobs," said a spokeswoman from Friends of the Earth on Twitter.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has yet to confirm he will step down or who will repalce him.
Speculation has mounted that employment minister Ed Davey or former chief secretary to the Treasury David Laws, both Liberal Democrats, may replace Huhne as part of a wider Cabinet reshuffle.
Source: Business Green
