Energy Sec. Chris Huhne resigns after learning he faces criminal charges.

[Hooch]

The Guardian has a live blog here.

Chris Huhne resigns over speeding offence charges

The IT has a summary of events that have lead up to this point.

Huhne resigns over criminal charges - The Irish Times - Fri, Feb 03, 2012

British energy secretary Chris Huhne is to face prosecution over allegations he asked his former wife to take a speeding penalty for him, Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer announced today.

Mr Huhne confirmed he would quit his ministerial post following this morning's announcement.

He said the decision to charge him over allegations that he asked his ex-wife to take a speeding penalty for him were “deeply regrettable” and he insisted: “I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts.”

The Liberal Democrat MP has been charged with perverting the course of justice after an investigation into the 2003 incident by Essex Police.

His former wife, the economist Vicky Pryce, is also facing charges of perverting the course of justice. They are due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 16th.

This is another nail in the coffin of the Liberal Democrats, after the scandal involving David Laws and Vince Cable's gaff this is the last thing Clegg needs especially seeing as Huhne was one of the party's most public figures.

['orebel]

Unfortunately our politicians don't do resignation.

[Hooch]

BBC says that the reshuffle will be limited to Lib Dems and his replacement will likely be wither Norman Lamb or Ed Davey.

I can't wait to see HIGNFY's take on this. :P

[PAD1OH]

he loses his job over a speeding offence while bankers get bonuses for mangling society.

[Sync]

Yeah the basic tone taken in the UK is that it's nice that eventually every Lib Dem will get to be a minister. It should be David Laws to come in, but the optics of that wouldn't be great. Right decision from him, you shouldn't continue as a Minister if you've got criminal charges waiting for you.

[davidcameron]

he loses his job over a speeding offence while bankers get bonuses for mangling society.

It's not over a speeding offence, it's over allegedly getting his ex-wife to say she was speeding when it was him.

[seanmacc]

he loses his job over a speeding offence while bankers get bonuses for mangling society.

Perverting the course of justice is a bit more serious than the speeding, if found guilty he may get a custodial sentence. He should of just taken a page out of the FF scandal book and just said that he'd no recollection of the events.

[nonpartyboy]

How many serving irish politicans are currently under investigation for a variety of alleged criminal offences ?

[Analyzer]

That's the Brits for you. Intolerant shower who simply refuse to accept funny dealings with the law.

We can look down our crooked noses, and celebrate the fact that that sort of response never occurs here.

Just look at the career of Bertie and Ivor. There is a proof that we are more accepting of politicians with flaws.

In fact our system encourages them to keep climbing the ladder.

[Analyzer]

Just wondering.....

When will he appear on the Late Late across from Tubbers reassurring the Irish people that our system of accountability is much kinder than the British.