Book deal greets Pryce on release

Publisher Biteback confirmed it had agreed a deal for the book, Prisonomics, by Vicky Pryce who also hopes to resume her career as an economist.

Pryce, 60, was released from prison yesterday after serving two months of an eight-month sentence for perverting the course of justice by taking speeding points for her then husband a decade ago. Huhne, who received the same sentence, was also released yesterday but was less forthcoming about his future plans.

The 58-year-old only narrowly missed out to Nick Clegg in the contest for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats six years ago and had been tipped as a future leader before his fall from grace.

Speaking alongside his partner, PR adviser Carina Trimingham, outside their central London home, he said: “I would just like to say once again, as you know from the night I was sentenced, I said that I was very sorry for what I had done.

“It has been a humbling and sobering experience.

“I would like to thank all of those who have written to me – hundreds of letters that I have had – and all my family and friends who stood by me.

“And I would also just remind you that I have served only part of my sentence and therefore it is not appropriate to say more.

“I would now like to get on, get back to home, and continue with my life.”

Earlier in the day Pryce had returned to her home in Clapham, south-west London, where she told reporters the first thing she planned to do was have a cup of coffee.

Standing at her side, her solicitor Robert Brown said: “Vicky Pryce is very pleased to be home and back with her family.

“She is grateful for all the support she has received from everyone whilst in prison, including her fellow residents and prison staff.

“She now intends to spend time with her family and looks forward to returning to her career as an economist.”

Asked if Pryce could be seen to be profiting from her crime by publishing a book based on her time in prison, Mr Brown said: “In my view, the law is not designed to prevent someone like Vicky Pryce from publishing a book about the economics of prisons.

“It was designed for other sorts of situations, and would not be enforceable against Vicky in this case.”

Pryce and Huhne, who will have to wear electronic tags, were jailed after being convicted of perverting the course of justice earlier this year.

Huhne, who resigned as Energy Secretary to fight the accusation, persistently denied the offence and attempted to have the case thrown out.

However, he dramatically changed is plea on the first day of his trial and later resigned as the MP for Eastleigh.

Pryce continued to deny the offence but was convicted at a retrial.

The court heard she revealed the speeding points scandal to newspapers in 2011 in an act of revenge against her ex-husband, who had left her the previous year for Ms Trimingham.

The former power couple have yet to find out how much they will have to pay for the cost of their prosecution.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is seeking more than £100,000 in costs from Huhne and almost £50,000 from Pryce.

Last month a costs hearing at Southwark Crown Court was told Huhne’s legal team had offered just £25,000. The CPS is seeking a total of £48,695.56 from Pryce, the court heard.

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