UK energy minister Huhne charged over speeding claim
UK: UK energy minister and wind energy supporter Chris Huhne has resigned following the decision to charge him with perverting the course of justice.
Huhne... charged over perverting the course of justice
Huhne has been under investigation by Essex police over claims he avoided a speeding penalty by asking his wife to claim she was driving the car at the time.
He has been replaced by fellow Liberal Democrat Ed Davey, who was business minister.
As one of the few Liberal Democrat state ministers in the coalition government, Huhne has often been outspoken in his defence of wind energy. Speaking at last year's Renewable UK conference, Huhne said hit back at critics of wind power, calling them "an unholy alliance of short-termists, armchair engineers, climate sceptics and vested interests who are selling the UK economy short".
At the creation of the coalition agreement with the Conservatives, renewable energy was seen as an area of common ground between the two parties.
As energy minister Huhne has raised the possibility of the country becoming energy self-sufficient due to wind and tidal power.
The UK is currently planning the 33GW Round 3 programme world's biggest offshore wind installation. However, the level of investment has received a hostile reception from sections of the UK press and elements of the UK treasury.
