Huhne to face criminal charges David Cameron is expected to carry out his second cabinet reshuffle in three months after the Crown Prosecution Service said it would charge Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce, his former wife, over allegations that she accepted speeding points on her driving licence on his behalf. Mr Cameron and Mr Huhne learnt of the decision about an hour before the announcement by Keir Starmer, director of public prosecutions, at 10am on Friday. Mr Huhne, the energy secretary, has denied the allegations and is expected to fight them in court. Mr Starmer said that both Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce would face charges of perverting the course of justice, which can typically carry a maximum jail sentence of up to two years, according to the CPS. "There is sufficient evidence to commit criminal charges against both Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce," he said. The pair will appear in Westminster magistrates court on February 16. Sir Jeremy Heywood, cabinet secretary, is understood to have advised Mr Cameron that Mr Huhne would have to step down if the CPS pressed charges. The decision now means a reshuffle by the prime minister, who has generally resisted shake-ups of his frontbench team on the basis that they make for less efficient government. Liam Fox was the last departure from the cabinet. When Mr Fox left his post as defence secretary it lead to only minimal changes at the top, with Philip Hammond taking his place and Justine Greening becoming the transport secretary. The decision against Mr Huhne is a serious blow for the ambitious Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, who once stood for the party leadership against Nick Clegg. It effectively neuters any residual leadership ambitions he might have. Mr Huhne is seen by some as a tribal politician who has made many enemies among his Tory colleagues, not least because of his vocal criticism of the No campaign during the campaign for the alternative vote. Yet he is one of the Lib Dems" most high-profile politicians and among only five members of the party to sit in the cabinet. The police began an investigation into the speeding allegations last summer after claims that Vicky Pryce, Mr Huhne's ex-wife, had accepted speeding penalty points on his behalf following an incident in 2003. The alleged offence was said to have taken place when Mr Huhne, then an MEP, was driving from Stansted airport after flying back from the European parliament. Legal proceedings have been delayed while the police sought to obtain evidence held by The Sunday Times, which broke the story of the original allegations. The newspaper has recently handed over details of relevant emails. Mr Huhne previously said he welcomed the investigation, as it would "draw a line under the matter." Mr Clegg told the BBC last month that Mr Huhne had made it "crystal clear" to him that he denied any wrongdoing.