Huhne entitled to £17,000 pay-off

Resigned energy secretary Chris Huhne is entitled to a severance payment of more than £17,000.

Under the 1991 Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act, the Liberal Democrat is allowed three months-worth of his £68,827 annual ministerial pay, the Cabinet Office said.

That entitles Mr Huhne to £17,207, if he chooses to accept it.

Asked whether Mr Huhne would be taking his payoff, Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said: "That's a matter for him."

Labour urged Mr Huhne to forfeit the payoff, pointing out that Tory co-chairman Baroness Warsi had urged Gordon Brown's ministers to do the same.

Baroness Warsi shared a podium with Mr Huhne for the August 2010 speech.

Labour MP Chris Evans said: "If he didn't agree with her, he should have said so - so he should now forfeit the £17,207 he is entitled to.

"And if the Tories don't make it clear that they believe Chris Huhne should give up this payment, it will be clear that they think there's one rule for them and their Liberal Democrat friends and another for everyone else."

PA