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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Nigel Evans: rape allegation 'will not destroy me' | Nigel Evans: rape allegation 'will not destroy me' |
| (5 months later) | |
| Nigel Evans, the Tory MP who was arrested on Saturday over claims that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another, has said he is "determined not to let these allegations destroy" him or his career. | Nigel Evans, the Tory MP who was arrested on Saturday over claims that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another, has said he is "determined not to let these allegations destroy" him or his career. |
| Speaking in Bolton-by-Bowland, near Clitheroe, where he lives, Evans said on Monday he was trying to keep his spirits up. "What doesn't destroy you makes you stronger. I'm trying to make sure in my own mind that I'm on that side," he said. | Speaking in Bolton-by-Bowland, near Clitheroe, where he lives, Evans said on Monday he was trying to keep his spirits up. "What doesn't destroy you makes you stronger. I'm trying to make sure in my own mind that I'm on that side," he said. |
| Earlier the former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell came to the defence of the deputy speaker, saying he did not believe the accusations against him and did not think the Ribble Valley MP should be forced to resign. | Earlier the former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell came to the defence of the deputy speaker, saying he did not believe the accusations against him and did not think the Ribble Valley MP should be forced to resign. |
| Mitchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Nigel Evans has been a friend and colleague of mine for more than 20 years. I have known him in good times and bad times, and I simply do not believe these allegations against him." | Mitchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Nigel Evans has been a friend and colleague of mine for more than 20 years. I have known him in good times and bad times, and I simply do not believe these allegations against him." |
| He said Evans "should definitely continue the role as deputy speaker", adding that there were three deputy speakers and "if necessary there can be a degree of burden-sharing". | He said Evans "should definitely continue the role as deputy speaker", adding that there were three deputy speakers and "if necessary there can be a degree of burden-sharing". |
| "If he were to resign now we would be in a terrible position where potentially every public office-holder could be open to blackmail and false stories in the media, triggering their resignation. He has not been charged and he has not been found guilty and we do still live in a country where you are presumed innocent until found guilty." | "If he were to resign now we would be in a terrible position where potentially every public office-holder could be open to blackmail and false stories in the media, triggering their resignation. He has not been charged and he has not been found guilty and we do still live in a country where you are presumed innocent until found guilty." |
| Mitchell refused to countenance the prospect of Evans being charged but acknowledged that would present a different situation. | Mitchell refused to countenance the prospect of Evans being charged but acknowledged that would present a different situation. |
| The Speaker's office is likely to be trying to find out details of the charges and circumstances. | The Speaker's office is likely to be trying to find out details of the charges and circumstances. |
| Some of Mitchell's reaction will stem from his friendship with Evans, 55, but some of it will come from his experience when he felt forced to resign over allegations that he had called police officers plebs during an encounter at the Downing Street gates. | Some of Mitchell's reaction will stem from his friendship with Evans, 55, but some of it will come from his experience when he felt forced to resign over allegations that he had called police officers plebs during an encounter at the Downing Street gates. |
| There has since been a police investigation into whether there was a conspiracy to frame Mitchell, who is taking civil action against the police. He feels his political career was prematurely cut short and is awaiting the outcome of the case before deciding his political future. | There has since been a police investigation into whether there was a conspiracy to frame Mitchell, who is taking civil action against the police. He feels his political career was prematurely cut short and is awaiting the outcome of the case before deciding his political future. |
| Evans has said the allegations against him are "completely false" but that he would stand down temporarily from his role as deputy speaker. He said on Monday that he planned to attend the Queen's speech this week. "If there's room in the Lords I'll stay and listen; otherwise I'll watch it on TV." | Evans has said the allegations against him are "completely false" but that he would stand down temporarily from his role as deputy speaker. He said on Monday that he planned to attend the Queen's speech this week. "If there's room in the Lords I'll stay and listen; otherwise I'll watch it on TV." |
| The MP also explained a mysterious mark on his forehead that was visible when he gave a statement on Sunday. The "painful" bruise appeared on Thursday as he came to the end of a reiki massage in Chinatown, London. | The MP also explained a mysterious mark on his forehead that was visible when he gave a statement on Sunday. The "painful" bruise appeared on Thursday as he came to the end of a reiki massage in Chinatown, London. |
| "I was suffering from a migraine and happened to be passing a place for Chinese alternative medicine. They were advertising reiki massages and I thought: 'Why not? It might help.' | "I was suffering from a migraine and happened to be passing a place for Chinese alternative medicine. They were advertising reiki massages and I thought: 'Why not? It might help.' |
| "I had a massage of my head and shoulders to relieve the stress that had caused the migraine, and as the chap came to finish he seems to have dug his fingers into my forehead." | "I had a massage of my head and shoulders to relieve the stress that had caused the migraine, and as the chap came to finish he seems to have dug his fingers into my forehead." |
| Evans declined to say whether suspects facing sexual allegations should be named upon arrest. | Evans declined to say whether suspects facing sexual allegations should be named upon arrest. |
| "I have no view and I'm operating within the law as it currently stands. After this is all over I may come out with what I do feel, but I think it's best to say now that we are where we are and I'm operating within the current system." | "I have no view and I'm operating within the law as it currently stands. After this is all over I may come out with what I do feel, but I think it's best to say now that we are where we are and I'm operating within the current system." |
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