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Chris Huhne calls prison 'humbling and sobering experience' after early release Chris Huhne calls prison 'humbling and sobering experience' after early release
(4 months later)
The disgraced former cabinet minister Chris Huhne said prison had been a "humbling and sobering" experience" after being released 62 days into an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice.The disgraced former cabinet minister Chris Huhne said prison had been a "humbling and sobering" experience" after being released 62 days into an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice.
Huhne, 58, and his ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, 60, were jailed on 11 March for an offence dating back a decade when Pryce took speeding points for her then husband. Pryce, who received the same sentence as Huhne, was also released on Monday.Huhne, 58, and his ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, 60, were jailed on 11 March for an offence dating back a decade when Pryce took speeding points for her then husband. Pryce, who received the same sentence as Huhne, was also released on Monday.
With his partner, Carina Trimingham, by his side, the former energy secretary addressed reporters after arriving back at the couple's flat in Clerkenwell, central London. "I would just like to say once again, as you know from the night I was sentenced, I said that I was very sorry for what I had done," said Huhne. "It has been a humbling and sobering experience.With his partner, Carina Trimingham, by his side, the former energy secretary addressed reporters after arriving back at the couple's flat in Clerkenwell, central London. "I would just like to say once again, as you know from the night I was sentenced, I said that I was very sorry for what I had done," said Huhne. "It has been a humbling and sobering experience.
"I would like to thank all of those who have written to me – hundreds of letters that I have had – and all my family and friends who stood by me."I would like to thank all of those who have written to me – hundreds of letters that I have had – and all my family and friends who stood by me.
"And I would also just remind you that I have served only part of my sentence and therefore it is not appropriate to say more."And I would also just remind you that I have served only part of my sentence and therefore it is not appropriate to say more.
"I would now like to get on, get back to home and continue with my life. Thank you for coming.""I would now like to get on, get back to home and continue with my life. Thank you for coming."
Huhne had been serving his sentence at Leyhill prison in Gloucestershire. Pryce, a renowned economist, was in East Sutton Park prison, near Maidstone, Kent. Both are category D open jails. The pair will have to wear electronic tags under the terms of their early release.Huhne had been serving his sentence at Leyhill prison in Gloucestershire. Pryce, a renowned economist, was in East Sutton Park prison, near Maidstone, Kent. Both are category D open jails. The pair will have to wear electronic tags under the terms of their early release.
After Pryce returned to her home in Clapham, south-west London, her lawyer, Robert Brown, read a short statement on her behalf as she stood beside him.After Pryce returned to her home in Clapham, south-west London, her lawyer, Robert Brown, read a short statement on her behalf as she stood beside him.
He said: "Vicky Pryce is very pleased to be home and back with her family. She is very grateful for all the support she has received from everyone whilst in prison, including her fellow residents and prison staff.He said: "Vicky Pryce is very pleased to be home and back with her family. She is very grateful for all the support she has received from everyone whilst in prison, including her fellow residents and prison staff.
"She now intends to spend time with her family and looks forward to returning to her career as an economist.""She now intends to spend time with her family and looks forward to returning to her career as an economist."
Huhne pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after months of staunch denials and several attempts to get the case thrown out. Pryce was convicted of the offence by a jury after a trial at Southwark crown court when her defence of marital coercion failed.Huhne pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after months of staunch denials and several attempts to get the case thrown out. Pryce was convicted of the offence by a jury after a trial at Southwark crown court when her defence of marital coercion failed.
Both were pursued by press photographers on their release. Huhne left Leyhill by the main entrance in the back seat of a silver Honda. Pryce had earlier emerged from East Sutton Park via a back exit and left with Brown.Both were pursued by press photographers on their release. Huhne left Leyhill by the main entrance in the back seat of a silver Honda. Pryce had earlier emerged from East Sutton Park via a back exit and left with Brown.
For sentences under a year, an offender is automatically released after serving half of their sentence.For sentences under a year, an offender is automatically released after serving half of their sentence.
Prisoners serving sentences of between three months and four years, with certain exceptions for violent and sexual offenders, may also be eligible for release on a home detention curfew.Prisoners serving sentences of between three months and four years, with certain exceptions for violent and sexual offenders, may also be eligible for release on a home detention curfew.
Huhne and Pryce are yet to hear how much they will have to pay for the cost of their prosecution.Huhne and Pryce are yet to hear how much they will have to pay for the cost of their prosecution.
Last month, a costs heard that the Crown Prosecution Service was seeking more than £100,000 from Huhne, but the former Lib Dem politician's legal team has offered just £25,000.Last month, a costs heard that the Crown Prosecution Service was seeking more than £100,000 from Huhne, but the former Lib Dem politician's legal team has offered just £25,000.
The prosecutor, Andrew Edis QC, told the court last month: "All of this occurred because Mr Huhne decided to do everything he could to try and get away with what he had done and gave in only at the last minute when defeat was inevitable."The prosecutor, Andrew Edis QC, told the court last month: "All of this occurred because Mr Huhne decided to do everything he could to try and get away with what he had done and gave in only at the last minute when defeat was inevitable."
Huhne's barrister, John Kelsey-Fry QC, said it was "simply unjust and unreasonable" to expect Huhne to pay what he described as "every single possible penny that anybody could think of".Huhne's barrister, John Kelsey-Fry QC, said it was "simply unjust and unreasonable" to expect Huhne to pay what he described as "every single possible penny that anybody could think of".
The CPS is seeking a total of £48,695.56 from Pryce, the court heard. During her trial, the court heard that she had embarked on a media campaign to "nail" her former husband after he left her in 2010 for PR adviser Trimingham.The CPS is seeking a total of £48,695.56 from Pryce, the court heard. During her trial, the court heard that she had embarked on a media campaign to "nail" her former husband after he left her in 2010 for PR adviser Trimingham.
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