Chris Huhne: jail was 'humbling and sobering' says disgraced MP as he is freed along with Vicky Pryce

- Both released after serving around two months in jail- Pair will wear electronic tags on release- Pryce said she 'craved a cup of coffee'
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Chris Huhne told today how prison had been a “humbling and sobering” experience, as the disgraced MP was released early after serving 62 days of an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice.

The former Cabinet minister said he wanted to "get on" with his life, as he arrived back at his £1.2 million Clerkenwell home after leaving HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire this morning. He must wear an electronic tag and obey curfews for the rest of his sentence.

Accompanied by his partner Carina Trimingham, Huhne said: "As you know, from the night I was sentenced I am very sorry for what I have done. It has been a humbling and sobering experience. I would like to thank all of those who have written to me ... Hundreds of letters from my family and friends.

"I would also just remind you that I have served only part my sentence and it would not be appropriate to say more. I want get on get back home and get on with my life."

His ex-wife Vicky Pryce was also freed, after two months of her eight-month term. The pair were convicted in March of swapping speeding points in 2003. She too must wear a tag and abide by a curfew. Returning to her Clapham home, she said she was looking forward to resuming her career as an economist.

She thanked prison staff and the jail's "fellow residents" for their support. Looking relaxed and smiling, Pryce, 60, was with her solicitor Robert Brown, read a statement saying: "Vicky Pryce is very pleased to be home and back with her family. She is grateful for all the support she has received from everyone while in prison."

The mother of five is now set to write a book about the economics of the criminal justice system, drawing on her experience behind bars. It followed reports she had written a "tell-all memoir" while inside.


When asked about the first thing she wanted to do, Pryce said she craved a cup of coffee. She was released from the Category-D open prison East Sutton Park, near Maidstone, just after 7am. Huhne left Leyhill a short time later.

Huhne, who resigned from his post a Climate Change Secretary in disgrace, is reported to be considering a future helping prisoners to rehabilitate and find work.

The former Eastleigh MP left Pryce in 2010 as his affair with Ms Trimingham was about to be exposed, ending his 26-year marriage. It led Pryce to reveal the speeding points swap in an attempt to "nail" him.

Huhne, 58, pleaded guilty to the offence at their trial in February, after months of denials. Pryce, 60, was convicted after a retrial when her defence of marital coercion failed.

Offenders sentenced to terms of between three months and four years — with certain exceptions for violent and sexual offenders — can be eligible for early release, as long as they observe a home detention curfew.

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