EASTLEIGH MP Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesman, has been stripped of a key area of his responsibilities in changes announced yesterday by party leader Nick Clegg.

The justice element was removed from his brief as Mr Clegg reshuffled his front bench team in a bid to put his party in the best position to fight the next election.

Mr Huhne, pictured, who was narrowly beaten to the Lib Dem leadership by Mr Clegg in 2007, will continue to hold the home affairs portfolio but David Howarth will take over as justice spokesman. Last month Mr Clegg was overheard by a reporter on a flight to Scotland discussing his desire to demote Mr Huhne with a key adviser.

Announcing the changes, Mr Clegg said the party would be “well-placed” to take the fight to Labour and the Tories and “bring about the change that Britain needs.”