Huhne and Pryce released from prison early

Mr Huhne, a former energy secretary and one-time Liberal Democrat leadership hopeful, said he was “very sorry” for what he had done as he returned to his central London home, which he shares with Carina Trimingham.

Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Price were jailed for eight months in March for perverting the course of justice a decade ago, when Pryce took speeding points for him.

Speaking outside his flat, Mr Huhne told gathered reporters to “calm down”, before saying: “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. Thank you for coming.”

‘Pleased to be home’

Economist Ms Pryce emerged from East Sutton Park Prison near Maidstone, Kent, via a back entrance with her solicitor Robert Brown.

After she returned to her Clapham home, Mr Brown read out a statement on Pryce’s behalf.

“Vicky Pryce is very pleased to be home and back with her family,” he said.

“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.”

Both will have to wear electronic tags as a condition of their early release, about a quarter of the way through their sentences. Their early release – the pair spent just 62 days incarcerated – is not unusual: for sentences under a year, prisoners are automatically released after serving half of their sentences.

Pryce now also intends to write a book about the economics of the prison system, combining her professional expertise with her inside track on life behind bars. Reports suggested that Huhne planned to work on the rehabilitation of prisoners.