Mr Huhne is accused of lying when his car was caught speeding. His ex-wife Vicky Pryce (who he was married to at the time) told a newspaper that he asked her to say that she was driving the car when it was actually him, so that he would avoid getting penalty points on his driving licence.

Now both Mr Huhne and his wife have been charged with perverting the course of justice. They are due to appear in court this Thursday (16 February). Mr Huhne said: “I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight them.”

Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “I totally understand why

Chris Huhne has stood down from his position in government to clear his name.”