Police to interview ‘key individuals’ over Chris Huhne speeding allegations

Essex police will speak to key individuals to establish whether any offence has been committed following claims energy secretary asked someone else to take penalty points on his behalf Police are to speak to “key individuals” over allegations that the cabinet minister Chris Huhne tried to evade punishment for speeding. Huhne came under further pressure on Wednesday as Essex police announced that contacts would be made as part of efforts to establish whether any offence had been committed. Detective Superintendent Tim Wills said: “There are many lines of inquiry to be taken, and the team are still working to establish if an offence has been committed. “Obviously this will entail speaking to key individuals identified by the inquiry team. It would not be appropriate to release any more information prior to progressing these lines of inquiry.” Huhne, the MP for Eastleigh, is alleged to have incurred penalty points for speeding in 2003, when he was serving as an MEP, which he then asked another person to take on his behalf. His estranged wife, Vicky Pryce, has claimed he “pressurised people” to take on the points in order to avoid a driving ban. Some newspaper reports have alleged that Pryce took the points on Huhne’s behalf. Earlier this week, Huhne stated that the allegations levelled against him are “incorrect” and welcomed a police investigation after a formal complaint about the allegations was lodged by the Labour MP Simon Danczuk. On Monday, Huhne said: “They have been made before and they have been shown to be untrue. And I very much welcome the referral to the police as it will draw a line under the matter … I don’t want to say any more than that. I think the police can get to the bottom of this.” On Wednesday, Huhne’s cabinet colleague Kenneth Clarke acknowledged that the energy secretary is “in trouble” over the allegations. The justice secretary said he had no reason “at the moment” to doubt Huhne’s denial of the claims. Clarke said he hoped the situation would be resolved one way or another as quickly as possible. Asked about the case on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “I have no idea whether there is anything to prove him wrong. “I realise he’s in trouble, and I hope somebody sorts out whether it is true or not. But I’ve known him for years, long before he was a colleague, and he insists it is untrue, and at the moment I have no reason to disbelieve that. “The cabinet has not discussed it. He does not need the full backing of the cabinet unless and until anyone can undermine him.” Huhne was forced to suffer jibes from MPs on Tuesday when he announced that the UK would be committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% on 1990 levels by 2025 – a victory for him after a rift in which some cabinet ministers opposed the plan. The shadow energy secretary, Meg Hillier, could not resist making veiled references in Huhne’s direction following his statement, using phrases including “go slow” and “acceleration”. A Downing Street spokesman did not rule out retaining Huhne in office if he was subject to a police investigation, pointing out that there was a precedent for this – including Tony Blair at the time of an investigation into cash for honours allegations. But the support for the Lib Dem energy secretary was qualified because the PM’s spokesman said Huhne has denied all the allegations but refused to say whether David Cameron had accepted those denials. Cameron also refused to say whether he had discussed the allegations directly with Huhne or had only received reports from the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg. Chris Huhne Hélène Mulholland guardian.co.uk

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