Chris Huhne is reported to be finding prison life in Gloucestershire "fascinating" according to a former cabinet minister who should know a thing or two about life in the clink.
Jonathan Aitken, who was jailed for perjury in 1999, is said to have been in touch with the former MP as he serves eight months for perverting the course of justice at Leyhill open prison, in Tortworth.
The former Liberal Democrat energy secretary was jailed last month after admitting making his then wife Vicky Pryce take driving penalty points for him after he was caught speeding in 2003.
Mr Aitken was reported in the Daily Mail to have contacted Huhne after his conviction "because we are the only members of a rather exclusive, perhaps sad, club."
He said: "I don't know him very well but when he was obviously on his way into prison I wrote him a letter of cheer and got a very nice letter back. I think he found some of the sensible tips for a high-profile prisoner useful."
The newspaper said he told Radio 4: "He (Huhne) said 'I've now gone through Wandsworth and Leyhill and I've found them fascinating, which is a surprisingly positive adjective to use about prison.
"I got the impression from his letters that he was in good shape."
