Timeline: Chris Huhne case

1984 - Mr Huhne marries Greek-born Vicky Pryce. They go on to have three children. Mr Huhne is a journalist at this time.

June 1999 - Mr Huhne is elected as the MEP for South-East England.

March 2003 - Mr Huhne is allegedly caught speeding in Essex and allegedly asks someone to take the three penalty points on his behalf so he isn't banned, as he already has nine points.

May 2005 - Mr Huhne enters Parliament as MP for Eastleigh and is appointed as the Lib Dem's Treasury spokesman.

March 2006 - Mr Huhne is appointed party spokesman for environment, food and rural affairs.

October 2007 - Mr Huhne stands to be party leader for second time but is beaten by Nick Clegg.

May 2010 - He is appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the coalition government.

June 2010 - His affair with his PR adviser Carina Trimingham is exposed.

September 2010 - Mr Huhne, a father of five, separates from his wife after 26 years of marriage.

8 May 2011 - The Sunday Times alleges that the MP asked someone to take his speeding points to avoid a driving ban in 2003. He denies the claims.

13 May 2011 - The Labour MP Simon Danczuk makes a formal complaint to the police about

the allegations and asks officers to investigate.

15 May 2011 - The existence of a secretly-recorded conversation between Mr Huhne and the person who took his points is reported in The Sunday Times.

17 August 2011 - The Crown Prosecution Service asks Essex Police to investigate further.

3 February 2012 - The Director of Public Prosecutions announces that the pair have been charged with perverting the course of justice.