British energy minister resigns

London Mercury (IANS) Friday 3rd February, 2012

British Energy Minister Chris Huhne resigned Friday, Xinhua reported.

Police said they would prosecute him for allegedly perverting the course of justice in relation to driving a car above the speed limit in 2003.

Director of public prosecution Keir Starmer told journalists the charges alleged that Huhne had falsely told police between March and May 2003 that he was not the driver of a car involved in a speeding offense, and that his wife at the time was the driver.

Huhne's then wife, leading economist Vicki Pryce, admitted the driving offense, which is a minor one, and received a small fine and penalty points on her driving license.

Pryce also faces the same charge as Huhne, 57, and both have been summonsed to appear before Westminster magistrates court, where the legal process will begin.

The charge is serious and can only be dealt with by a jury trial in a Crown Court, and if found guilty carries a prison sentence.

The resignation will not affect the stability of Prime Minister David Cameron's coalition government.

Cameron's government is a coalition of his Conservative party and the smaller Liberal Democrat party which came together after the inconclusive general election of May, 2010.

Huhne played a leading role in talks establishing the coalition and became one of only four members of Liberal Democrat party in the Cabinet.

He has been replaced by another Liberal Democrat, Ed Davey, who has been promoted from under-secretary at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

Davey, aged 46, was his party's defence spokesman before the 2010 general election.