CHRIS Huhne’s resignation as Energy Secretary after hearing he was to be charged with perverting the course of justice is a loss to the Cabinet says Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood.

The Lib Dem, who was a leading supporter of Mr Huhne in his unsuccessful 2007 bid for the party leadership against Nick Clegg, said his contribution during his time in government had been ‘immense’.

As Secretary of State he had paved the way for the first Green Investment Bank, the Green Deal energy-saving initiative, and he signed the Government up to tough new climate change targets.

“His contribution is difficult to overestimate,” said Mr Horwood.

Mr Huhne quit his cabinet office to fight a criminal charge of perverting the course of justice after allegations that he asked ex-wife Vicky Pryce to take a speeding penalty on his behalf to avoid losing his driving licence.

Mr Huhne, Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh, said he was innocent but would stand down to "avoid distraction".

Mr Horwood said: “Although he’s done the right thing I think he should be very proud of what he’s achieved at the Department of Energy and Climate Change over the last two years.

“It’s a loss to the cabinet and his contribution has been immense.”

Business Minister Ed Davey will replace him but Nick Clegg said he hoped Mr Huhne could return to government.

Mr Horwood added; “I am pleased to see Ed Davey moving into the job. I think he will make a tremendous Secretary of State and pick up where Chris left off.”

In his resignation letter to Mr Cameron, Mr Huhne said he was standing down to mount "a robust defence" against the charge.

Remaining in the Cabinet would be ‘distracting’, both to his legal fight and to his Government work, he said.

The departure of Mr Huhne, one of the Lib Dems hardest-hitting ministers, is a blow for the party.

He enjoyed grass roots support among members for his readiness to stand up to Conservatives in Cabinet.

Mr Clegg said he had told Mr Huhne that he would like to see him “back in Government in a key position” if he clears his name.

The Lib Dem leader’s parliamentary aide Norman Lamb was promoted to Mr Davey’s former position in the Department for Business.

The events which led to the charges date back almost a decade to March 2003, when Mr Huhne’s car was allegedly caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London.

But allegations of impropriety did not emerge until after the MP’s 26-year marriage ended in 2010 as a result of his affair with PR adviser Carina Trimingham.