I'd have got away with it, if it hadn't been for the newspapers!

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This is the message from Chris Huhne albeit one wrapped up in a coating of self-righteous excuse-making:

The News of the World sparked the end of my marriage, but another Murdoch title, the Sunday Times, then groomed my ex-wife until she told them about the speeding points.

Got this folks. If Chris hadn't said something mildly critical of Rupert Murdoch he'd have got away with lying about speeding points while cheating on his wife (as he presented himself to voters as a proud 'family man'). The saddest thing is that a few people (mostly at the ever more egregious Guardian) will be taken in by this cant. I'm sorry folks but Chris Huhne's career ended because he cheated on his wife and lied about speeding. All the newspapers did was uncover these facts.

I'm a politician, I've had some challenging press coverage. But I consider that the press have every right to report this stuff. If we fall from grace, it's usually our fault. And almost never the fault of the press.

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Do we think we'll get away with it?

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There's been a deal of mournful, celebratory and serious reporting on the resignation of Chris Huhne following him being charged with perverting the course of justice.

Chris Huhne has quit as energy secretary after learning he will be charged with perverting the course of justice over a 2003 speeding case. His ex-wife Vicky Pryce will face the same charge in relation to claims she accepted his penalty points.

The question I have in all this is; "why?" Why did Mr Huhne - a clever and successful man - allegedly decide that it made any sense at all to ask his wife to take the rap for some penalty points on a driving licence. And for that matter, why did Vicky Pryce, his wife - another clever and successful person - think that this was anything like a good idea?

It may of course turn out that nothing of the sort took place, it is all a confusion or a misunderstanding. But nevertheless I really would like to know what is so massively important about not having a driving ban for a few months compared to the possibility of a career-ending prison sentence for perverting the course of justice?

I can understand when a spur of the moment action gets someone into trouble. But the actions of Mr Huhne - if true - were considered not impulsive. It seems to me utterly barking mad to run this risk when nobody is going to get too hot under the collar over a driving ban for accumulated speeding points. In some circles it might even get some street cred.

It has to be that too many people - especially in positions of power - think they'll get away with it.

Crazy!

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