Another uncomfortable weekend for Chris Huhne. On the same morning he popped up to question David Cameron’s judgement in employing Andy Coulson, his own personal failings were laid bare across two newspapers. Two wrongs don’t make a right, but it’s pretty rich from someone using emotional blackmail against his teenage son. Huhne threatened him that his mother will go to jail, in a bid to try and get the A-level student to silence her. The police have the messages as a key piece of evidence…

In the election Huhne used pictures of his infant family in his campaign literature, just weeks later he would be exposed for cheating on them. “Where would he be without his family?” one leaflet asked. Well on the moral high-ground for starters.

A YouGov poll has shown that 60% of the public doubt Huhne’s story, with only 5% believing he is innocent of the original speeding offence. 40% say he should walk right now. The lengths to which Huhne is ready to go, to save his career, including using his children as a human-shield against his wife, shows just what sort of man we are dealing with here.

As the weeks go on and the evidence piles up, you will see the true make of the man when he is cornered… 

In a rare media appearance, Chris Huhne popped up on the Today program this morning. “I am saying there is no truth in those allegations” he claimed. An odd choice of words when he reportedly told the police “no comment”. We all know what you are saying Chris, we just don’t believe you. Apparently “incompetence is not necessarily a matter for resignation…” 

Forcing your wife to break the law, and instigating a cover up, is though.

This blog may have in the past queried the progress of the Essex police investigation into Chris Huhne. With the obtaining of the Pryce recording and statement from the Sunday Times we became more optimistic. The Mail on Sunday’s scoop this morning that just over a week ago Essex police raided Vicky Pryce’s home to obtain her son Peter’s phone with text messages on the phone from Chris Huhne gives us more confidence that they are being thorough.

Clearly the police suspect Huhne is trying to pressure his ex-wife via the children, in this you have the measure of the man, to save his career he would have others lie for him. Even by the low standards of politicians Chris Huhne is a particularly selfish man who lies without compunction. 

It could be difficult to prosecute Huhne if Vicky retracts her signed statement. The CPS are by all accounts wary of prosecuting a Minister of the Crown, who would without doubt have to resign to defend himself. Nevertheless, given the circumstantial evidence it would be a travesty of justice if the CPS nervously failed to proceed essentially because Huhne is a government minister. It is not for the CPS to decide whom they believe, it is time for a jury to determine the truth.

Roy Greenslade reveals in his Standard column today that the Sunday Times’ lawyers have declared that there are no legal grounds for appealing the court order demanding that they hand over of their Pryce/Huhne tape and documentation to Essex Police. The hour is getting late Chris. Time to reach for your simple sword of truth and that trusty shield of British fair play.

Guido thought he would pop along with a Guy News camera to record a rare appearance by Chris Huhne in public. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change was speaking to the FT’s Global Greeny Types Conference in the City. After seeing the cameraman and sitting in the car for a few minutes mulling it over, he finally made a run for it:

He marched off eventually to the hotel’s restaurant in the opposite direction to the conference – can’t think why. It has to be said that his estranged wife Vicky Pryce is much better at dealing with the questions. Not sure “I don’t know what you’re talking about” will cut the mustard with Essex Police…

Just as the LibDem’s attempt to spin that Huhne was out of the woods was beginning to take hold, he’s smashed straight into a tree and gone through the windscreen, his career once again looking like a slow-motion car-crash. As Guido suggested, a thorough police investigation could not have taken place without getting hold of the taped conversation in which Huhne orders his estranged wife to partake in a cover-up, and the document she signed promising to support her allegations in court. A court order has now demanded that be handed over.

The Sunday Times are said to be “considering an appeal”, but that strikes Guido as somewhat unlikely, given how big a story it would be for them if these two pieces of evidence were the final nail in the coffin for the slippery Secretary of State. Sources have suggested that the wind has once again changed direction and doubts about Huhne’s future in government have returned to mid May-levels. Olly Grender has been very quiet today.

From behind the paywall:

More in tomorrow’s Sunday Times…

Given Vicky Pryce is demanding that the BBC did not mention the allegations she made against her estranged husband as a condition of her touring the TV studios to talk about Greece, full points to Krishnan Guru Murphy for sticking the boot in:

Wonder if she smirked like that in front of the police? She might as well have winked to the camera…

UPDATE: Krishnan also asked “The Donald” if he was wearing his own hair. He explains himself here, must be something in the water on Grays Inn Road…

Video via Liar Politicians.

Nick Clegg just told the Press Gallery lunch:

“Whatever people say about Chris Huhne, I don’t know any politician better at getting his points across.”

It’s almost as if he’s enjoying his old foe suffering…