Former Energy Secretary Chris Huhne Bailed

Former energy secretary Chris Huhne has attended a London court for his first appearance on charges of perverting the course of justice.

His estranged wife Vicky Pryce was also at Westminster Magistrates' Court for the hearing.

Huhne is alleged to have asked Pryce to take speeding penalty points so he could avoid a driving ban in 2003, when he was a Liberal Democrat MEP.

The court heard the case would be adjourned to March 2 at Southwark Crown Court.

Both defendants were granted unconditional bail.

The accusations only emerged in 2010 when the pair's marriage broke up.

Earlier this month, the Crown Prosecution Service said it would bring charges which prompted Huhne to quit his job as one of the senior Lib Dems in the coalition Cabinet.

He remains MP for Eastleigh, Hampshire. Pryce, who faces the same charge, works as an economist.