British Energy Minister Resigns over Speeding Charges
British Energy Secretary Chris Huhne resigned on Friday after prosecutors announced he would be charged over allegations that he dodged a speeding penalty, but vowed to prove his innocence.
Huhne is a member of the Liberal Democrat party, the junior partner in Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron's coalition, and becomes the third minister to quit since the government took office in May 2010.
"The Crown Prosecution Service's decision today is deeply regrettable. I'm innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts and I'm confident a jury will agree," Huhne told reporters outside his London flat.
"So as to avoid any distraction to either my official duties or my trial defense, I am standing down, resigning, as energy and climate change secretary."
Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer announced earlier that Huhne and his ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, will be charged with perverting the course of justice over the alleged 2003 incident and will appear in court on February 16.
Source: Agence France Presse
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