Chris Huhne denies reports of 'mocking' by staff and inmates on first day at Wandsworth prison
Former Cabinet minister's partner disputes that there were Tannoy announcements and that Huhne was sent to vulnerable prisoners wing
Disgraced former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne this evening denied reports that he was ridiculed on his first day in jail by a warder calling him to breakfast shouting “Order! Order!”.
The Sun newspaper first reported yesterday that the prison officer, using the Tannoy system in Wandsworth jail, mimicked the Commons Speaker by adding: “The right honourable member for Wandsworth North - down to the office.”
Other prisoners at the south-west London jail were said to have roared with laughter as Huhne went from his cell to pick up the meal.
The newspaper also reported that 58-year-old Huhne had been moved to a wing for vulnerable prisoners because other convicts humiliated and bullied him and badgered him for cash.
But last night Huhne’s partner, Carina Trimingham, disputed that there had been a tannoy announcement calling him to breakfast. She also said the suggestion that Huhne had been moved to a segregation wing for vulnerable prisoners – or had asked to be moved – was wrong.
Having made her first visit to Wandsworth prison this morning, she denied that Huhne has been bullied or ridiculed by prisoners or prison officers, or that he had been asked for money.
Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce were handed eight-month jail sentences at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday for perverting the course of justice when Pryce took speeding points for Huhne in 2003.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.