Forum Topic

Is eight months in chokey the right sentence?

either for Mr or the erstwhile Mrs Huhne?Do we need them to serve time so we get the message that taking someone else's points and committing perjury in general, is a bad idea.Or is it that he was a law-maker so becoming a law-breaker incurs extra penalty?In which case, why is her sentence the same?

Sara Nathan ● 4937d14 Comments

To my mind, it's done the complete opposite of setting an example.The lesson seems to be that, if you're a cheating spouse whose partner has taken your points, you can sleep easy tonight in the reasonably safe assumption that they won't try to take you down.Everyone schtum.

Peter Millman ● 4937d

Unless she thinks it worth it, in a Greek tragedy sort of way...

Sara Nathan ● 4937d

I'd rather have seen them do community service, sweeping the streets or some such, rather than go to an open prison.

Chris Hurley ● 4937d

They'll be ouit before you can say 'Let them eat cake...'

Keith Iddon ● 4937d

I think you're probably right Chris.A suspended sentence too and a 2 year driving ban might be a good idea.

Keith Iddon ● 4937d

'Let them eat cake...'The last person to say that, lost their head, or should it be, they got chopped! Anyway, they got their, 'just desserts'...porridge!

Nikki Howard ● 4936d

Sara, I think their getting the same sentence is explained by the fact that Huhne will have got a little credit for pleading guilty, albeit at the last minute, while she put the state to the trouble and expense of not one but two trials on a defence that was never going to succeed other than in Fairy Land.

Susan Kelly ● 4936d

The first jury's inability to reach a verdict really can't be her fault. Interestingly, the costs incurred bringing the case against her were less than half those against Huhne. though I have no idea why.And surely asking someone to commit perjury - especially if you are a parliamentarian - is worse than agreeing - there is an element of incitement.I think they should probably have been sentenced to jail - to show people this isn't on. But shouldn't actually serve much. Apparently they will each actually be inside for only about 2 months and that in an open prison. Which is sort of OK - given the public is at no danger and prison costs us a small fortune.

Sara Nathan ● 4936d

I agree that his crime was worse than hers. Maybe they think an arrogant man assumes his right to decide that the laws don't apply to him while a sensible woman should know better!

Susan Kelly ● 4936d

That's it Susan.Like many a public figure,he has a 'let them eat cake' mentality that assumes the rules applied to the public are not applicable to him.I wonder how he will feel when he drops his soap in the shower...he will probably try to get someone to pick it up for him.

Keith Iddon ● 4936d

You're thinking about that soap way too much, Keith.

Susan Kelly ● 4936d

Let him eat a cake of soap...

Peter Millman ● 4936d

Not my problem Susan but he'd better be careful...I have a great joke about Jeffrey Archer and his cell mate Big 'Arry,but I'll save it for another time.

Keith Iddon ● 4936d

What have the ladies of Holloway got in store for Vicky Pryce?  They won't need a bar of soap as an excuse.

Nikki Howard ● 4935d