Former Cabinet Minister Chris Huhne has been sentenced to eight months in prison for perverting the course of justice.

His ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, was handed the same sentence.

Mr Justice Sweeney said the pair had decided to act together not to tell the truth and pervert the course of justice.

He said Huhne had "fallen from a great height".

Huhne's sentence was reduced by 10% because of his guilty plea, Sweeney said.

The former Eastleigh MP, wearing a dark suit and tie, remained motionless as he became the first former Cabinet minister since Jonathan Aitken to be sent to prison.

Pryce, who wore a black jacket over a silver-grey top, also showed no emotion as she was sent to prison in front of a packed courtroom, which included Huhne's father and partner Carina Trimingham.

Sentencing them trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney said Huhne had lied "again and again".

He told Pryce she had a "controlling, manipulative and devious side".

And he told the former couple: "To the extent that anything good has come out of this whole process, it is that now, finally, you have both been brought to justice for your joint offence. Any element of tragedy is entirely your own fault."

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Chris Huhne arriving at court


peterwalker99
Vicky Pryce in court. Black suit, grey scarf. Head bowed. Huhne walks past to sit beyond her in dock

During the sentencing hearing, the former couple had sat a couple of feet apart in the glass-fronted dock, but did not acknowledge each other.


martinbrunt
Huhne entered the dock with an overnight bag. Sitting with Pryce, but one seat between them. Se has red rosé protruding from handbag.

Pryce took notes throughout, while Huhne listened intently.


martinbrunt
Huhne lawyer says he has two things left to cling to...support of partner and friends and a reconciliation with his children.

The offence dates back a decade to 2003 when Pryce took speeding points for her then-husband.

She tried to claim Huhne forced her into taking the points, using a defence of marital coercion, but she was convicted on Thursday after a retrial.


peterwalker99
Throughout all this Huhne & Pryce are looking grave, staring down a lot. As ever, no acknowledgement of others' presence in dock

The former Lib Dem energy secretary pleaded guilty on the first day of a planned joint trial last month, ending months of public denials.

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It brought an end to his political career. A former Lib Dem leadership contender, he resigned as Eastleigh MP, having previously quit the Cabinet after being charged, saying it was in order to "fight the allegations."

vicky pryce

Vicky Pryce was found guilty of perverting the course of justice


Pryce's high-profile case exposed more details about the couple's break-up in June 2010, when Huhne left her for PR adviser Carina Trimingham.

Mother-of-five Pryce, who pursued a press campaign to "nail" Huhne, told jurors that during their 26-year marriage he prioritised his career over hers, even demanding twice that she had an abortion.

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  • BRITAIN-POLITICS-TRANSPORT-CRIME

    Former British energy minister Chris Huhne (2nd L) and his partner Carina Trimingham (L) arrive at Southwark Crown Court in London, on March 11, 2013. Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce are due to be sentenced later Monday for perverting the course of justice over speeding points a decade ago. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister Chris Huhne (C) arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Mr Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Vicky Pryce, Mr Huhne's ex-wife, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister Chris Huhne (C) arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Mr Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Vicky Pryce, Mr Huhne's ex-wife, had also been found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-POLITICS-TRANSPORT-CRIME

    Former British energy minister Chris Huhne (C) and his partner Carina Trimingham (L) arrive at Southwark Crown Court in London, on March 11, 2013. Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce are due to be sentenced later Monday for perverting the course of justice over speeding points a decade ago. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister Chris Huhne (C) arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Mr Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Vicky Pryce, Mr Huhne's ex-wife, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-POLITICS-TRANSPORT-CRIME

    Former British energy minister Chris Huhne (C) arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, on March 11, 2013. Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce are due to be sentenced later Monday for perverting the course of justice over speeding points a decade ago. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Former Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister Chris Huhne (C) arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Mr Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Vicky Pryce, Mr Huhne's ex-wife, had also been found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Vicky Pryce, ex-wife of Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Vicky Pryce trial

    Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he will be sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Vicky Pryce, ex-wife of Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Vicky Pryce, ex-wife of Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Rosie Hallam/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Vicky Pryce, ex-wife of Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Rosie Hallam/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Former Liberal Democrat cabinet minister Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Rosie Hallam/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-POLITICS-TRANSPORT-CRIME

    Vicky Pryce, (C) ex-wife of former British energy minister Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, on March 11, 2013. Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce are due to be sentenced later Monday for perverting the course of justice over speeding points a decade ago. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Vicky Pryce (C), ex-wife of Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, had been found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Vicky Pryce, ex-wife of Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-POLITICS-TRANSPORT-CRIME

    Vicky Pryce, (C) ex-wife of former British energy minister Chris Huhne arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, on March 11, 2013. Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce are due to be sentenced later Monday for perverting the course of justice over speeding points a decade ago. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Chris Huhne And His Former Wife Vicky Pryce Are Sentenced For Perverting The Course Of Justice Over Speeding Points

    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Vicky Pryce, ex-wife of Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court to be sentenced on March 11, 2013 in London, England. Former Cabinet member Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003. Ms Pryce, 60, was found guilty of the same offence after the judge issued a retrial. (Photo by Rosie Hallam/Getty Images)

  • BRITAIN-POLITICS-TRANSPORT-CRIME

    Photographers jostle for pictures as Vicky Pryce, (L) ex-wife of former British energy minister Chris Huhne, arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, on March 11, 2013. Huhne and Vicky Pryce are due to be sentenced later Monday for perverting the course of justice over speeding points a decade ago. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)