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Nigel Evans denies rape claim as 'completely false' Nigel Evans denies rape claim as 'completely false'
(about 3 hours later)
Deputy House of Commons Speaker Nigel Evans has denied allegations against him as "completely false", after being arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.Deputy House of Commons Speaker Nigel Evans has denied allegations against him as "completely false", after being arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.
The 55-year-old Conservative MP for Ribble Valley has been questioned about alleged attacks on two men. The Tory MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, 55, has been questioned about alleged attacks on two men.
But in a statement to journalists on Sunday, Mr Evans expressed his "sense of incredulity at these events".But in a statement to journalists on Sunday, Mr Evans expressed his "sense of incredulity at these events".
His solicitor said he did not intend to quit as deputy speaker or as an MP.His solicitor said he did not intend to quit as deputy speaker or as an MP.
Lancashire Police said on Saturday that a 55-year-old man had been arrested and questioned all day by officers.Lancashire Police said on Saturday that a 55-year-old man had been arrested and questioned all day by officers.
The alleged offences took place between July 2009 and March 2013 in Pendleton, Lancashire, they said.The alleged offences took place between July 2009 and March 2013 in Pendleton, Lancashire, they said.
Mr Evans has been bailed until 19 June.Mr Evans has been bailed until 19 June.
'Obviously shocked''Obviously shocked'
Addressing reporters outside his home, he said: "Yesterday I was interviewed by police concerning two complaints - one of which dates back four years.Addressing reporters outside his home, he said: "Yesterday I was interviewed by police concerning two complaints - one of which dates back four years.
He added: "The complaints are completely false and I cannot understand why they have been made, especially as I have continued to socialise with one as recently as last week." "The complaints are completely false and I cannot understand why they have been made, especially as I have continued to socialise with one as recently as last week."
He went on to thank police for their sensitive handling of the matter, as well as colleagues, friends and members of the public who had "expressed their support and, like me, a sense of incredulity at these events".He went on to thank police for their sensitive handling of the matter, as well as colleagues, friends and members of the public who had "expressed their support and, like me, a sense of incredulity at these events".
Prime Minister David Cameron has been made aware of the arrest, it is understood.Prime Minister David Cameron has been made aware of the arrest, it is understood.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC he had been "shocked" by the allegations about Mr Evans. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC he was "shocked" by the allegations about Mr Evans.
"I know Nigel well, I have known him for years. I'm obviously as shocked as everybody else is," he told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show. "I know Nigel well, I have known him for years. I'm obviously as shocked as everybody else is," he told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show.
Mr Hammond added it could be "very difficult" for the MP to continue as deputy speaker while the matter was being investigated.Mr Hammond added it could be "very difficult" for the MP to continue as deputy speaker while the matter was being investigated.
"I think that is essentially a question the speaker will have to consider," he said."I think that is essentially a question the speaker will have to consider," he said.
The Speaker's Office later said Mr Evans had been excused from chairing any of the debates on the Queen's Speech, which normally last a week.
The Speaker's Office said Mr Evans would be available for other duties, but advised that there were a limited number of duties in parliament's first week back after recess.
'Shell-shocked''Shell-shocked'
Mr Evans, MP for Ribble Valley since 1992, was elected one of three Commons deputy speakers three years ago.Mr Evans, MP for Ribble Valley since 1992, was elected one of three Commons deputy speakers three years ago.
In more than two decades in Parliament, the Swansea-born MP - who came out as gay to a Sunday newspaper in 2010 - has held some senior posts in the party.In more than two decades in Parliament, the Swansea-born MP - who came out as gay to a Sunday newspaper in 2010 - has held some senior posts in the party.
From 1999 to 2001, he was vice-chairman of the Conservative Party. Then, when Iain Duncan Smith became party leader in 2001, he was promoted to shadow Welsh secretary - a post he held for two years.From 1999 to 2001, he was vice-chairman of the Conservative Party. Then, when Iain Duncan Smith became party leader in 2001, he was promoted to shadow Welsh secretary - a post he held for two years.
Michael Ranson, chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association, said people in the constituency were "completely shell-shocked".Michael Ranson, chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association, said people in the constituency were "completely shell-shocked".
"He is a very popular MP and a very good constituency MP. He's given assistance to a lot of his constituents over many years," he told Sky News."He is a very popular MP and a very good constituency MP. He's given assistance to a lot of his constituents over many years," he told Sky News.
The deputy speaker of the house is elected by all the members of the House of Commons.The deputy speaker of the house is elected by all the members of the House of Commons.
Mr Evans is one of three deputies who preside over Commons debates when John Bercow, the current speaker, is not there. He or she presides over Commons debates when John Bercow, the current speaker, is not there.
A deputy has the same powers as the speaker when sitting; he or she controls debates and maintains discipline and also has the deciding vote in the case of a tie in the house.A deputy has the same powers as the speaker when sitting; he or she controls debates and maintains discipline and also has the deciding vote in the case of a tie in the house.