Huhne’s partner in tears over ‘diabolical’ stories

MP Chris Huhne’s partner Carina Trimingham broke down at the High Court yesterday as she described the Daily Mail’s “diabolical” campaign against her.

The 44-year-old PR adviser asked for tissues and had to leave the witness box for ten minutes on the second day of her privacy and harassment action against Associated Newspapers.

She is seeking damages and an injunction over 65 “highly unpleasant and hurtful” articles which have appeared since her affair with the former energy and climate change secretary became public in June 2010.

They referred to the “life and very different loves of the PR girl in Doc Martens”, described her as a “comedy lesbian from central casting”, and published an “inherently private” photo of her 2007 civil partnership ceremony to another woman.

Ms Trimingham was being cross-examined by Antony White QC, for Associated Newspapers, which is contesting the case on the basis that there was an important public interest and it was entitled to report the story in full. It says that Ms Trimingham, the Eastleigh MP’s former press officer, was no “shrinking violet”, but a seasoned political journalist who was open about her sexuality.

Ms Trimingham told Mr Justice Tugendhat in London that the tone and tenor of the newspaper’s entire coverage was “appalling”.

Its publication of the civil partnership ceremony photo had “trashed” a special day, and homophobic comments from readers were “deeply upsetting” for her.

The hearing continues.

JAN COLLEY