Chris Huhne has resigned as Energy Secretary after being charged over allegations he lied to police to escape a driving ban.

The Cabinet minister is accused of handing penalty points for a speeding offence to his then wife, the economist Vicky Pryce.

They are both to face a criminal trial after being charged with perverting the course of justice, for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said the pair will appear in court for the first time on February 16.

Mr Huhne, speaking at his London home after the prosecution was announced, said he was quitting the Cabinet so that he could clear his name.

"I am innocent of these charges and I intend to fight this in the courts and I am confident that a jury will agree," he said.

It is claimed the politician, then an MEP, was caught speeding on his way home from Stansted Airport in 2003 but told police Ms Pryce was driving to avoid the points.

The allegations only emerged in 2010 after he left his wife of 26 years, with whom he had three children, after starting an affair with PR consultant Carina Trimingham.

Ms Pryce told the Sunday Times that her ex-husband had asked "someone" to take the penalty on his behalf. It later emerged this was a reference to herself.

Essex Police investigated and handed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, but the case was delayed by a court battle to obtain key emails from the newspaper.

The documents, believed to be between the Sunday Times' political editor and Ms Pryce, were finally handed over last month - clearing the way for the CPS to decide their next move.

Mr Starmer said at a press conference on February 3: "All the available evidence, including the new material, has now been carefully considered by the CPS and we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against both Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce for perverting the course of justice.

"The essence of the charges is that between March and May 2003, Mr Huhne, having allegedly committed a speeding offence, falsely informed the investigating authorities that Ms Pryce had been the driver of the vehicle in question, and she falsely accepted that she was the driver.

"Accordingly, summonses against both Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce have been obtained from Westminster Magistrates' Court and those summonses will now be served on them. They are due to appear in court on 16 February this year."

Mr Huhne, who was tipped as a future leader of the Lib Dems before the speeding allegations emerged, has always denied any wrongdoing.

In his resignation letter to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, he said he was resigning "with great regret" and would defend himself "robustly" through the courts.

He also expressed his pride at being among the first Liberals to serve in government since 1945.

In his reply, Mr Clegg held out the prospect of a return to frontline politics if the MP is cleared.

"I fully understand your decision to stand down from government in order to clear your name but I hope you will be able to do so rapidly so that you can return to play a key role in government as soon as possible," he said.

Prime Minister David Cameron's letter made no mention of a possible return but wished the MP well and said: "I believe you have made the right decision under the circumstances."

Speculation is growing in Westminster that business minister Ed Davey will take over as Energy Secretary.

Mr Cameron is bound by the coalition agreement, which guarantees the Lib Dems a proportion of Cabinet posts to preserve the balance of power.

In a statement, Ms Pryce - who also denies the charges - told The Guardian: "As the CPS have decided to prosecute it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

"Obviously I hope for a quick resolution of the case. In the meantime I will be taking a little time off over the next few days to be with my family."

Chris Davies, the Lib Dem MEP for North West England, said: "Whatever the result of the court case, this has proven to be a horrendous Greek tragedy and it is one not just for Chris Huhne but also for Vicky Pryce, his former wife, who of course is Greek."