Ex-minister Chris Huhne in court (From Swindon Advertiser)

Ex-minister Chris Huhne in court

9:29am Thursday 16th February 2012 in National News © Press Association 2011

Former energy secretary Chris Huhne has arrived at court for his first appearance accused of perverting the course of justice.

Huhne is alleged to have asked his ex-wife Vicky Pryce to take his penalty points for a speeding offence almost a decade ago.

His car was allegedly caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London in March 2003.

Accusations of impropriety did not emerge until after the MP's 26-year marriage ended in 2010 as a result of his affair with PR adviser Carina Trimingham.

The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charge earlier this month, leading Huhne to step down from his role as energy and climate change secretary although he remains Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire.

Economist Pryce, who faces the same charge, will appear in the dock alongside her ex-husband at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London.