UK politician and wife jailed for speed lie

Former cabinet minister Chris Huhne and his former wife Vicky Pryce have both been jailed for eight months for perverting the course of justice.

The pair were convicted after she took driving licence points for him after he was caught speeding in 2003.

Pryce was described as being "controlling, manipulative and devious" by the Southwark Crown Court judge.

Huhne's initial sentence was nine months, but his guilty plea meant a reduced term.

Sentencing the pair, trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney said Huhne had lied "again and again".

Mr Justice Sweeney told the former couple: "To the extent that anything good has come out of this whole process, it is that now, finally, you have both been brought to justice for your joint offence.

"Any element of tragedy is entirely your own fault."
Chris Huhne was exposed to the full glare of the media spotlight during his ex-wife's trial

During Pryce's trial, the prosecution alleged that she had chosen to take the points but later plotted to expose Huhne after he revealed he was having an affair with an aide and ended the couple's 26-year marriage.

The judge said Pryce's "weapon of choice" - telling newspapers she took the points - was a dangerous weapon because they had both broken the law.

And the momentum of the news story led to Pryce's "unmasking".

The judge added that Pryce hoped the police would not obtain evidence of her involvement, but they did.

Mr Justice Sweeney said point-swapping was "all too easy to do" but it amounts to the serious criminal offence of perverting the course of justice.

This is a personal tragedy for Chris, Vicky and their families”Nick Clegg's spokesman

The judge told Huhne he was somewhat more culpable for the offence.

He said: "You have fallen from a great height, albeit that that is only modest mitigation given that it is a height that you would never have achieved if you had not hidden your commission of such a serious offence in the first place."

The judge told the former MP he had committed a "flagrant offence" of its type and said there were no exceptional circumstances.

And, turning to Pryce who was sitting just a few metres apart from her ex-husband in the dock, he told the economist she had been readily persuaded into taking the points.

The judge said that, unless released earlier under supervision, the pair would each serve half of their eight-month sentences.

Huhne resigned as the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire after admitting the charge.'Life-changing consequences'

A spokesman for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "As Nick has said, this is a personal tragedy for Chris, Vicky and their families.

"After their sentences are served, Nick hopes that they will both be given the time and space to rebuild their lives."

The court heard the cost of Huhne's prosecution was £79,015 and Pryce's was £38,544 - making a total of £117,558.

Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC said the CPS was seeking to claim an extra £31,000 from Huhne for costs incurred by his attempts to get the case thrown out and the extra police investigation.

Speaking outside the court, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge - from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate - said: "This case acts as a very timely reminder for all those people who may be facing a driving ban and are thinking of passing their points onto others.

"This is not only unlawful but, as you can see from today's events, leads to life-changing consequences."

The pair were greeted by hordes of photographers and TV cameras as they arrived at court before sentencing.'Cold day'

Huhne, 58, arrived at Southwark Crown Court with partner Carina Trimingham, who he left Pryce for in June 2010.

Huhne and Pryce, 60, were charged last year over an incident in March 2003 when Huhne's BMW car was caught by a speed camera on the M11 between Stansted Airport in Essex and London. He was an MEP at the time.

It was alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Pryce, a prominent economist, had falsely informed police she had been the driver of the car, so Huhne would avoid prosecution.

He was in danger of losing his licence having already accrued nine penalty points.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott issued a personal statement as "a long-standing family friend" of the pair.

"This is a personal and political tragedy. Chris was a dynamic, decisive, strategic minister - an object lesson to us all in how to fight as hard in office as in opposition for the environment, economic growth, Europe and essential liberties," he said.

"It's a bitterly cold day for the future of radical, progressive politics in our country," added the peer.