The original Sunday Times report on Huhne and speeding referred to Westminster rumour and speculation about him taking points. Well guess who it was talking about the case…
Emails shown to the Pryce jury point the finger at the very top of the LibDem establishment, who once again seem very good about ignoring things they do not want to hear:
- 12 March 2011:
Pryce to Sunday Times: “Other possibility would be to tell NC or his close associates (having coffee with Miriam this PM) that the papers are on to him … (that also might have the added benefit of NC not wanting any more scandals and ease him out anyway …).”
- 9 April 2011:
Pryce to Sunday Times: “Actually I had told Vince and Rachel about points before when the three of us were having supper about a month ago – they were horrified at the time but VC has probably forgotten it by now. He was v tired that night.”
- 18 April 2011:
Pryce to Sunday Times: “Having lunch with Miriam c tmr. Should I hint at anything? I told Vince there is something hanging over him [Huhne] and he wanted to tell Clegg.”
- 26 April 2011:
Sunday Times to Pryce: “To what extent is Clegg aware that something is hanging over Huhne (you mentioned it to Miriam, didn’t you?)”
Pryce: “Yes, I have told VC, Miriam C, MOak (Matthew Oakeshott) … and a few other Lib Dem Lords and others working close to NC.”
A spokesman for Vince Cable says:
“Vince and Rachel have no recollection of the issue of points being raised with them over the course of dinner with Vicky Price on 28 January 2011. They have consulted their personal records which confirm that the issue first came to their attention in May 2011 when the story broke in the press.”
What sort of personal records did they keep? A diary?
A Lib Dem spokesman says: “Vince, Matthew and Miriam are all clear that the allegation about driving points was not raised with them.” A spokesman for Miriam Clegg says: “I have never ever been told by Vicky or anybody else about the traffic points story. I got to know about this when everybody else did.” Lord Oakeshott says: “Vicky must have been under a lot of pressure, but I am sure she never raised the points with me.” Remind you of any other recent outbreaks of yellow amnesia?
UPDATE: Vicky Pryce claims Huhne made his millions from “dodgy investments” relating to his father’s speed camera company.
Vicky Pryce has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice. A unanimous verdict after 12 hours deliberations. Sentencing of Pryce and Huhne will be at a later date. Let’s hope the judge takes into consideration that all this would never have come out if it were not for Vicky…
As the second jury continues to deliberate, Vicky Pryce has spoken out today…giving City AM a comment on quantitative easing:
“Hold but be ready for more quantitative easing once forthcoming Budget measures are analysed and current trends become clearer. A more upbeat performance in the service sector contrasts with poorer manufacturing and construction data and weak lending figures.”
Nice of her to take time out of her busy schedule…
“Is true that Huhne has a chapter in the new Liberal Democrat ‘Green Book'” Guido asked a LibDem source in bewilderment earlier. “No, that would be madness… He has two chapters,” came the reply. And yes it’s true, Huhne has found good use of his spare time to pen two chapters for ‘New Directions for Liberals in Government’ that apparently ‘brings together 27 leading Liberal Democrats and sympathetic experts to propose radical and innovative new directions for the Liberal Democrats.’
One chapter is on, cough, “Driving Growth” and the another on ““reducing emissions from transport”.
Two areas he has a specialist interest in.
With a foreword from Clegg, it seems his party has learnt many lessons from their recent communication disasters.
Back in October Guido noted that barrister, judge and Huhne prosecution witness Constance Briscoe had been arrested. It can now be reported for the first time that her arrest is in connection with the Huhne-Pryce case. The jury have been told that Briscoe could not be relied upon as a “witness of truth”, and that she “may have lied about her involvement with the press”. Developing…
UPDATE: Briscoe negotiated with newspapers on behalf of Pryce then denied contact with the press to police, the jury is told.
14 hours of deliberations later and Mr Justice Sweeney has agreed to accept a majority verdict on which at least ten agree. He is giving answers to ten pretty extraordinary questions the jury asked him yesterday.
Getting closer…
