Ed Davey is to become the new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the government has formally announced. The former Liberal Democrat Business Minister steps into the role following the resignation of Chris Huhne earlier today. News of the decision to prosecute Mr Huhne also led to two further appointments to the Coalition. Norman Lamb MP, until now a senior advisor to Nick Clegg, is to become Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills while Jenny Willott MP is to become an Assistant Government Whip. Mr Huhne quit as Energy and Climate Change Secretary to fight a criminal charge of perverting the course of justice after allegations that he asked his ex-wife Vicky Pryce to take a speeding penalty on his behalf to avoid losing his driving licence. 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.
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