Chris Huhne is set to make a statement on the fourth carbon budget tomorrow (Tuesday), but I’m told it will be a written statement, probably mid-afternoon. That would mean the beleaguered energy secretary being able to avoid the House of Commons.
Labour are set to up the ante by calling on Huhne to attend Parliament for this important environmental announcement. They will provide the transport if necessary, the opposition party says. (This is of course a reference to Huhne’s spot of bother re driving penalty points.) Apparently Meg Hillier, Huhne’s shadow, will make an announcement to this effect later today.
UPDATE: I’m told that if there is an urgent question then it would compel the energy secretary to appear in person. His allies say he is relaxed about it and would in fact prefer to give an oral statement if it is allowed by the House authorities.
Meanwhile the plot thickens about who may or may not have taken the speeding points.
FURTHER UPDATE: In the end Huhne did appear and make an oral statement. It’s not clear whether it was the prime minister who ordered him to.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey