Chris Huhne MP officially resigns

The leader of Eastleigh Council, Keith House, emailed all Liberal Democrat members today to announce that campaigning had already begun. He said:

The Eastleigh by election will take place in 3 weeks time.

These speed camera images have been released of Chris Huhne's car breaking the speed limit. He was caught doing 69 miles per hour in a 50 zone on the M11 in Essex 10 years ago.

The by-election has not yet been called - but, today, the political parties were out in force in their bid for the Parliamentary seat of Eastleigh. Politicians were on the doorsteps - canvassing for support - as disgraced MP Chris Huhne officially _resigned as their MP.

Yesterday, he'd pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice - getting his former wife Vicky Pryce to accept speeding points on his behalf. Andrew Pate has the latest.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has declared himself out of the Eastleigh by election on Twitter. He said: "I will not be standing in the Eastleigh by election but UKIP will be fielding a candidate."

The disgraced former cabinet minister Chris Huhne has now formally resigned as the MP for Eastleigh.

Strictly speaking, MPs aren't allowed to resign so, in keeping with tradition, he has been appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern (the "Chiltern Hundreds").

It's an ancient (and honorary) position, which disqualifies the holder from sitting as an MP.

So Mr Huhne is now a former MP, and the Liberal Democrats can get on with setting a date for the Eastleigh by-election.

The disgraced former cabinet minister Chris Huhne has now formally resigned as the MP for Eastleigh.

Strictly speaking, MPs aren't allowed to resign - so in keeping with tradition, he has been appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern (the "Chiltern Hundreds"). That's an ancient (and honorary) position, with disqualifies the holder from sitting as an MP.

So Huhne is now a former MP, and the Liberal Democrats can get on with setting a date for the Eastleigh by-election.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Chris Huhne, admitted today he lied to the police about about a speeding offence. Minutes later he said he'd be resigning from Parliament.

Huhne pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, as his trial was about to start in London. Last month he'd been trying desperately to get the case thrown out. It followed claims that his ex-wife took speeding points on his behalf. Our political correspondent Phil Hornby has more.

Chris Huhne intends to voluntarily remove himself from the Privy Council after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice, the Liberal Democrats said today.