Wirral Euro MP laments fall from grace of former colleague Chris Huhne (From Wirral Globe)
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Wirral Euro MP laments fall from grace of former colleague Chris Huhne
1:30pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News
Former energy secretary Chris Huhne and his partner Carina Trimingham arrive at Southwark Crown Court
Chris Huhne dramatically announced he was stepping down from Parliament after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.
The former energy secretary was due to stand trial alongside ex-wife Vicky Pryce on charges that he made her take speeding points on his behalf.
Wirral Euro MP Chris Davies served alongside Mr Huhne for seven years in the European Parliament.
He said: "I am glad to live in a country where even those in high positions can be brought down by failing to respect the law.
"What was at the time a relatively minor misdemeanour has become a genuine Greek tragedy, and he has no-one to blame but himself.
"But I have great admiration for Chris Huhne's political ability and today's announcement is likely to deprive us of that.
“I am sorry for him”.
Mr Huhne dramatically changed his plea as the case was about to open at London's Southwark Crown Court.
Making a statement outside court afterwards, the Liberal Democrat said: "Having taken responsibility for something that happened 10 years ago, the only proper course of action for me is to resign my Eastleigh seat in Parliament, which I will do shortly."
The 58-year-old strongly denied the claims when he was charged by prosecutors last February and repeated the denials in court as recently as last week. But when asked again, he clearly stated: "Guilty."
PR adviser Carina Trimingham was in the public gallery to watch as Huhne made the admission.
The emergence of their relationship in September 2010 ended his marriage to 60-year-old Pryce, and the speeding allegations leaked out soon afterwards.
Perverting the course of justice carries a maximum sentence of life - but the average is around 10 months.
Under Commons rules, MPs are only forced to step down if they receive custodial terms of more than 12 months, but realistically Huhne's departure was regarded as inevitable.
Pryce's case was adjourned until 10am on Tuesday, at Southwark, when a trial is expected to start. She was granted unconditional bail.
Comments(8)
zephsgranddad2
says...
2:11pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Ne4ver mind the Media and Bankers it is time to address the problem of ethical standards in the Palace of Westminster
davypicko
says...
2:17pm Mon 4 Feb 13
zephsgranddad2
says...
3:43pm Mon 4 Feb 13
WirralAl
says...
4:27pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Positive thinker
says...
5:56pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Hugo1008
says...
6:42pm Mon 4 Feb 13
The whole of the Government and Parliamentary System needs to be overhauled and cleaned up, so that we are all truly in this together.
There is way too much special treatment for the parasites in the political world, and its about time we had a proper system of Clean, Open, Honest, Fair, dealings in Whitehall and the Houses of Commons, Lords, plus all organisations funded from the public purse, without Exception.
It is never Government Money, it is our Money the Tax and Rate Payers and should be treated with utmost respect.
Positive thinker
says...
1:37pm Tue 5 Feb 13
so don't get on your high horse about parasites
bigfoot says...
1:46pm Mon 4 Feb 13
His devious activities have wasted police time at who knows what cost to the taxpayer.
Good riddance and hopefully the rest of his ilk will soon receive their just deserts!