CRISIS-hit minister Chris Huhne was mocked in Parliament yesterday over claims he lied about a speeding offence.

Few fellow Lib Dems turned out to support the Energy Secretary and Downing Street insiders predicted he was doomed over the allegations.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg left the chamber 10 minutes into Mr Huhne's statement about climate change.

And he was the butt of jokes during questions as Shadow Energy Secretary Meg Hillier joked there was "no rush", spoke of an "accelerated timetable" and said his position "belies the facts".

And fellow Labour MP Barry Gardiner asked if he was "in the driving seat" on green policies. The House laughed as Mr Huhne said: "I take the Honourable Gentleman's points."

Police are probing claims that Mr Huhne got then wife, Vicky Pryce, to take his points for speeding in 2003 so he could avoid a ban. He has denied the allegations.

His hopes of avoiding a criminal investigation grew after police said there was no "paper trail" relating to the offence, but friends of Ms Pryce, who he left for bisexual lover Carina Trimingham, said she was ready to challenge Mr Huhne in court.

And she was last night reported to have told a judge eight years ago that he had asked her to take his speeding points.

The claim runs counter to arguments put forward by Huhne's camp that Miss Pryce is acting out of revenge.

Sources said the conversation between Miss Pryce and the judge would be of "great interest" to police trying to establish if any offences have been committed.