Chris Huhne speeding case decision due

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne finds out later whether he will face charges over claims his ex-wife accepted a penalty for speeding on his behalf.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer will announce his decision in a televised statement at 10:00 GMT.

Essex Police have been investigating the allegations against Mr Huhne, dating back to 2003, for eight months.

The Lib Dem denies the claims. Court action would end his cabinet career, the BBC's Nick Robinson understands.

Should Mr Huhne be forced out, Business Minister Ed Davey is likely to replace him with fellow Lib Dem Norman Lamb stepping into Mr Davey's shoes, our political editor said.

"Of course, if no charges are brought Chris Huhne will continue in his job," he added.

The Sunday Times recently handed over details of emails relating to the case to the police.

It had reported claims Mr Huhne had asked someone to take penalty points on his behalf after he was caught by a speed camera on 12 March 2003 while a member of the European Parliament.

Police interviews

He says the allegations that his then wife, economist Vicky Pryce, admitted the offence to enable him to avoid a driving ban are "simply incorrect".

The MP for Eastleigh, in Hampshire, has previously welcomed the investigation as an opportunity to "draw a line under the matter".

Mr Huhne will be told of the decision shortly before it is announced.

Essex Police have twice interviewed Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce, who will also learn on Friday whether she will face charges. The couple divorced in 2011.

Last week, the Sunday Times dropped its challenge to a court ruling ordering it to hand over the emails, said to be between Ms Pryce and its political editor.

In an interview published on Thursday - but conducted last month - Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he had known Mr Huhne "as long as I've known almost anybody else in politics".

"He has made it very clear to me privately and he's said it publicly that he denies any kind of wrongdoing," Mr Clegg told the House magazine.

The ministerial code states that ministers' behaviour is expected to "uphold the highest standards of propriety" but does not make clear whether they can remain in office if they have been charged with a criminal offence.

The final decision on whether a cabinet minister should remain in post rests with the prime minister.

No 10 has previously said David Cameron continues to have full confidence in the energy secretary and does not believe the furore is getting in the way of the government's work.

A former journalist who has also worked in the City, Mr Huhne twice stood for the Lib Dem leadership after entering Parliament in 2005.

He is one of five Lib Dem ministers in the coalition cabinet, in charge of issues such as energy market regulation and nuclear policy.

He has clashed with his Conservative partners on several occasions, notably during last year's referendum on the voting system when he attacked the tactics used by the Tory-backed No campaign.