Chris Huhne will face formal inquiry
CABINET minister Chris Huhne is facing a formal investigation into allegations that he dodged a traffic offence by asking his wife to accept his speeding points, police said last night.
Initial investigations in the last few days have led detectives to decide that a formal inquiry is needed to establish if a crime was committed eight years ago, said a spokesman for Essex police.
Mr Huhne’s estranged wife Vicky Pryce is being advised and supported by a high-profile judge as she prepares to be quizzed by detectives over the allegations.
The top economist has sought the help of her friend Constance Briscoe, one of Britain’s first black female judges and a near neighbour in south London.
Lib Dem Mr Huhne, who has denied any wrongdoing, said he had arranged to be interviewed by police next week.
Detectives also said they may be able to uncover records of the alleged speeding offence, which they hope to publish by the end of the week. They previously thought that images and other records relating to the alleged offence had been destroyed.
Yesterday, Business Secretary Vince Cable, a fellow Lib Dem, defended Mr Huhne saying : “It would be a loss if he went. He is a very effective colleague.”
Mr Huhne, 56, left his wife last year after it was disclosed that he had been having an affair with 45-year-old Carina Trimingham, his bisexual former press aide.