Court orders handover of Chris Huhne speeding tape

Police investigating allegations that Cabinet minister Chris Huhne persuaded his estranged wife to take speeding penalty points on his behalf have obtained a court order to take possession of a tape recording in which the ex-couple apparently discuss the case.

The Sunday Times reported that it had been ordered by a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court to hand over the tape to Essex Police. The paper said it was considering an appeal.

The recording, disclosed by the paper in May, apparently features a conversation between Lib Dem Energy Secretary Mr Huhne and former partner Vicky Pryce. Mr Huhne urges her not to talk to journalists about the allegations, saying that there was no evidence to support the story "unless you give it some legs by saying something".

Ms Pryce, an economist, says: "It's one of the things that worried me when I took them; when you made me take the points in the first instance."

The estranged couple were interviewed by detectives last month over the claims he persuaded her to accept a penalty on his behalf in March 2003 so he could escape a driving ban.

Images of Ms Pryce's driving licence have emerged indicating that she received points for an offence in the Essex area on the date in question.