Former energy secretary and ex-wife to appear in court

The trial will decide whether Mr Huhne asked Ms Pryce to take responsibility for penalty points for the speeding offence, which allegedly took place on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London in March 2003.

As a result of the Crown Prosecution Service announcement at the start of this month, Mr Huhne made the decision to resign in order to concentrate on the case. The role has been taken by former business minister Ed Davey.

However, Mr Huhne has denied the allegations and vowed to clear his name. Ms Pryce, who faces the same charge, will also stand trial with Mr Huhne at Westminster Magistrates Court, London from 10am.

Earlier this month, edieEnergy reported business reactions to Mr Huhne’s departure, which suggested he had been successful in raising the profile of environmental issues in politics, but that  he had failed to handle solar subsidies changes and tackle energy prices.

Carys Matthews