Chris Huhne resigns as Energy Minister3 February 2012
Chris Huhne quit his cabinet post this morning after learning that he and his ex-wife will face criminal charges.
The Crown Prosecution Service alleges that Mr Huhne made his wife accept penalty points for a speeding offence that he committed.
The former Energy and Climate Change Secretary denies any wrongdoing, and says he is resigning to "avoid distraction" and clear his name.
Mixed environmental record
Mr Huhne's record in the job has been a mixed bag. Some of his successes include:
- Convincing the Government to accept tougher climate change targets.
- Fighting for a Green Investment Bank - to fund new green industries and jobs.
Under pressure
But more recently he's faced criticism.
When the Government tried to abruptly cut the solar tariff payments, throwing the solar industry into chaos, we took his department to court and won.
The judge ruled that the sudden cuts to the solar Feed-in Tariff subsidy were unlawful. Last month the Government appealed and lost again. Read our success story here.
He should be commended for insisting on tougher climate targets and fighting for a Green Investment Bank - but his department's incompetent handling of solar cuts has put 29,000 jobs at risk.
Andy Atkins, Executive Director, Friends of the Earth
Need a strong candidate
Friends of the Earth warns that the new Energy Secretary Ed Davey must stand firm against George Osborne's anti-green agenda - and get us off the hook of expensive fossil fuels.
Please add your name to our petition for cleaner and more affordable energy.
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