Chis Huhne will find out in the next few days whether he is to be charged by the police for asking someone else to accept speeding points on his behalf, an accusation he denies.
David Cameron's official spokeswoman has said the prime minister has "confidence in the energy secretary". But if Essex Police decides to charge Huhne it is likely he will have no choice but to step down from his cabinet post and fight his corner from the backbenches.
Huhne could then join the list of politicians in recent years who have had a run in with the law.