FORMER Cabinet minister Chris Huhne has lost a challenge against an order that he must pay £77,750 costs from his prosecution for passing speeding points to his ex-wife.

Three judges at the Court of Appeal rejected his case at a hearing in London.

The costs order was made in May by Mr Justice Sweeney at London's Southwark Crown Court.

Prosecutors claimed more than £100,000 from Huhne, who pleaded guilty last February.

Huhne's ex-wife, economist Vicky Pryce, who was convicted by a jury, was ordered to pay £49,200.

Huhne and Pryce have served prison sentences for perverting the course of justice after she took speeding points for her then-husband in 2003.