Chris Huhne expected to resign over criminal charge in speeding case Chris Huhne, the energy secretary, whose resignation would trigger a cabinet reshuffle. The energy secretary, Chris Huhne, is to face a criminal charge in connection with allegedly dodging a speeding offence, the director of public prosecutions has announced. In a televised announcement, Keir Starmer said the cabinet minister's ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, would also be prosecuted over allegations she took speeding penalty points on his behalf in 2003. Huhne - who is expected to resign from his cabinet post as a result of the decision - is to be charged with perverting the course of justice, Starmer said. Huhne has always denied the allegations. Pryce, who divorced Huhne in January last year, will be prosecuted for allegedly perverting the course of justice. Huhne and Pryce were told of the decision an hour before Starmer made his announcement. They are due to appear before Westminster magistrates court on 16 February. Pryce said in a statement released by her lawyers: "As the CPS have decided to prosecute it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage. Obviously I hope for a quick resolution of the case. In the meantime I will be taking a little time off over the next few days to be with my family. Huhne travelled from a Lib Dem awayday in Eastbourne on Thursday and was in London at the time Starmer made the announcement at 10am. The decision will spark a cabinet reshuffle. It is the second enforced departure of a Liberal Democrat minister since the coalition came to power. Huhne has made it known he feels it necessary to resign because the battle to clear his name will be too much of a distraction to continue in office. The charge relates to a speeding offence committed on 12 March 2003. Essex police have been investigating whether Huhne asked Pryce to take the points on her licence on his behalf. The alleged offence is said to have taken place while Huhne was driving back from Stansted airport after flying in from the European parliament, where he was an MEP at the time. Since he already had points on his licence, Huhne would have faced a driving ban had any further penalties been imposed, it is alleged. Last week, Essex police - who began their inquiry in May last year - took possession of emails and other material from the Sunday Times, who published an interview with Pryce, a successful economist, in which she first made the allegations. Detectives also have access to a tape in which Pryce allegedly discusses the issue with Huhne. The energy secretary left Pryce, his wife of 27 years, in 2010 for Carina Trimingham.