Chris Huhne, a former British journalist and politician, is currently working as an energy and climate change consultant. He has had a successful career in politics, serving as a Member of the British Parliament from the Liberal Democratic Party. Born into a prestigious business family in West London, Chris pursued his education at Oxford University and Sorbonne University, Paris. He has also been actively involved in student politics and worked for the Labour Party. In addition to his political career, Chris founded his own company, ‘IBCA Sovereign Ratings,’ and wrote columns for ‘The Guardian.’ Despite his achievements, Chris faced a setback in 2012 when he resigned from his position as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice in a speeding incident.
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In July
- Also Known As: Christopher Murray Paul-Huhne
- Age: 69 Years, 69 Year Old Males
- Born Country: England
- Journalists
- Political Leaders
- City: London, England
- Notable Alumni: Magdalen College, Oxford
- Education: University Of Oxford, Magdalen College, University Of Paris
Childhood & Early Life
Chris Huhne, born Christopher Murray Paul-Huhne on July 2, 1954, in West London, UK, was the son of Peter Paul-Huhne and Ann Murray. His father was a well-known businessman, while his mother had previously worked as an actress. From a young age, Chris showed great academic skills and was always inclined towards academics. After graduating from Westminster School, he enrolled in Magdalen College at the University of Oxford through a scholarship for academically excellent students. During his time at Oxford, he served as the editor of Isis, the university magazine, and developed a journalistic approach.
Education and Early Career
After graduating from college, Chris moved to Sorbonne in Paris to continue his studies. He focused on subjects such as Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and graduated with first-class degrees in all three subjects. His interest in politics grew during his college years, and he became an executive of the Oxford University Labour Club while actively supporting the British Labour Party.
Career in Journalism and Business
After completing his education, Chris founded a company called IBCA Sovereign Ratings in 1994, which measured the risk of investing in different countries. He later became the managing director of the company and also took on the position of vice-chairman of Fitch Ratings. Alongside running his company, Chris worked as a writer and columnist for The Guardian and The Independent. He covered notable events such as the fraud committed by Robert Maxwell on the Mirror Group Pension Fund and worked as an undercover reporter in India during the period of emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Political Career
Chris’s political career began in 1999 when he was selected as a member of the European Parliament for South East England. He played a significant role in developing Liberal Democrat Policies and served as the chairman of four policy groups. In the 2005 British general elections, he was elected as the representative of Eastleigh in the British parliament, winning the seat in a historically conservative area. He also ran for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party in 2006 and 2007 but was unsuccessful in both attempts.
Personal Life and Legal Troubles
Chris Huhne was married to Vicky Pryce, a Greek-born British economist, since 1984. They had three children together. However, their marriage faced difficulties in 2010 due to rumors of Chris’s affair with Carina Trimingham. Vicky filed for divorce, which was granted in January 2011. In 2013, Chris resigned from his position as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change following his guilty plea to perverting the course of justice.
In a separate legal case, Chris and Vicky were involved in a speeding incident in 2003. Vicky initially claimed to be the driver, but in 2011, she revealed the truth to a reporter, leading to a trial. Chris admitted to lying in court and served a nine-week jail sentence starting in March 2013.