The attorney general has rejected calls from a Conservative MP for Chris Huhne's "unduly lenient" eight month prison sentence to be extended.
In early March David Burrowes, the MP for Enfield-Southgate, wrote to Dominic Grieve to complain the former Lib Dem cabinet minister had "deceived the public" after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice despite having denied the claim for some time.
In a letter to Burrowes published today, Grieve said: "Having considered the sentences very carefully, I have decided tnot to refer them to the court of appeal as I do not think the court will increase them." Burrowes said he would "respect" the decision.
In his letter, Burrowes said Huhne's actions struck "at the root of the criminal justice system".
"The continuous lies from Chris Huhne to the police, court and public was a deliberate systematic attempt to pervert the course of justice and undermine the rule of law," he said.
"Any credit for a guilty plea is limited given that it took place at the door of the trial court after numerous defence delays and attempts to stop the prosecution."
Burrowes added: "I believe that the sentence of eight months imprisonment is too short and does not fully reflect the seriousness of the offence and the need for it to be exemplary and provide deterrence."