Before today Chris Huhne had seemed to be cloaked in a sense of invincibility.
He was the self-made millionaire, the man who ran for the leadership twice but who remained key to his opponent, the person who first suggested coalition with Conservatives, negotiated it, and then became the Energy Secretary in the Government.
Some believed that after 2015 he may finally lead the party.
When rumours about some speeding points circulated most of us thought they would probably disappear. Today Huhne pleaded guilty to Perverting the Course of Justice in Southwark crown court, and could face a prison sentence.
The man also had skin as thick as rhino hide. When I bumped into Huhne in Portcullis House a few weeks ago, in the midst of this furore, he recognised the gentleman I was with and started chatting to him, completely oblivious to the enormous elephant following him into every room that he entered.
Equally he appeared unabashed at Lib Dem conference his new partner Carina Trimingham, despite the popularity of his ex-wife (and co-defendant) Vicky Pryce within the party.
I bumped into Huhne again today in Southwark crown court, shortly after he gave his statement resigning as an MP. Both he and Trimingham looked utterly shell shocked. Pryce on the other head, look rather relaxed, smiling at court staff as she returned to the dock.
Huhne left court on unconditional bail, to await sentencing at a later date.
It can now be reported that Huhne had tried to have the case dismissed. He also tried to have it stayed as an abuse of process.
When this failed, he changed his plea to guilty.
Text messages between Chris Huhne and his son Peter, have now also been published.
Vicky Pryce maintained her plea of not guilty, and continued to have unconditional bail. Her trial begins at 10am tomorrow.
