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Nigel Evans arrested on suspicion of three further counts of indecent assault Nigel Evans arrested on suspicion of three further counts of indecent assault
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Nigel Evans, the House of Commons deputy speaker already under arrest for alleged rape and sexual assault, has been arrested on suspicion of three further counts of indecent assault, it has emerged.Nigel Evans, the House of Commons deputy speaker already under arrest for alleged rape and sexual assault, has been arrested on suspicion of three further counts of indecent assault, it has emerged.
The MP for Ribble Valley, 55, answered bail following his initial arrests in May, and was informed that he faced the additional allegations.The MP for Ribble Valley, 55, answered bail following his initial arrests in May, and was informed that he faced the additional allegations.
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: "A 55-year-old man from Pendleton in Lancashire has today answered his bail following his arrest in May on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: "A 55-year-old man from Pendleton in Lancashire has today answered his bail following his arrest in May on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.
"He has subsequently been further arrested on suspicion of three further offences of indecent assault. He will be interviewed about these allegations at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.""He has subsequently been further arrested on suspicion of three further offences of indecent assault. He will be interviewed about these allegations at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day."
Evans was initially arrested in May following allegations that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another between 2009 and 2013 – accusations he said were completely false.Evans was initially arrested in May following allegations that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another between 2009 and 2013 – accusations he said were completely false.
A third person later gave a statement to Lancashire Constabulary claiming he too had been sexually assaulted.A third person later gave a statement to Lancashire Constabulary claiming he too had been sexually assaulted.
After his arrest on 4 May Evans read a statement outside his Lancashire home vehemently denying the accusations against him after he was released on bail earlier this month.After his arrest on 4 May Evans read a statement outside his Lancashire home vehemently denying the accusations against him after he was released on bail earlier this month.
The senior Tory spoke of his incredulity after being arrested over allegations by two men he had until then "regarded as friends".The senior Tory spoke of his incredulity after being arrested over allegations by two men he had until then "regarded as friends".
Evans, who came out as gay in 2010, said he had just endured "the worst 24 hours of my life".Evans, who came out as gay in 2010, said he had just endured "the worst 24 hours of my life".
At the time of his arrest he said: "The allegations are completely false and I can't understand why they have been made, especially as I have continued to socialise with one [of the complainants] as recently as last week.At the time of his arrest he said: "The allegations are completely false and I can't understand why they have been made, especially as I have continued to socialise with one [of the complainants] as recently as last week.
"I appreciate the way the police have handled this in such a sensitive manner, and I'd like to thank my colleagues, friends and members of the public who have expressed their support and – like me – a sense of incredulity at these events.""I appreciate the way the police have handled this in such a sensitive manner, and I'd like to thank my colleagues, friends and members of the public who have expressed their support and – like me – a sense of incredulity at these events."
The Guardian disclosed last month that detectives were planning to interview a fourth alleged victim of Evans who claimed that he was intimately groped by the deputy speaker in a bar in the House of Commons.The Guardian disclosed last month that detectives were planning to interview a fourth alleged victim of Evans who claimed that he was intimately groped by the deputy speaker in a bar in the House of Commons.
The former parliamentary intern, 22, claims he was assaulted in the Sports and Social Club bar in December 2011 even though he had never spoken to the MP and was there with his parents. Detectives have contacted the alleged victim and asked for a formal statement.The former parliamentary intern, 22, claims he was assaulted in the Sports and Social Club bar in December 2011 even though he had never spoken to the MP and was there with his parents. Detectives have contacted the alleged victim and asked for a formal statement.
The former intern said he had just finished a stint in the House of Commons and was in the bar with his parents – he was showing them around parliament and had stopped off for a drink – when the alleged incident occurred. Evans, it is claimed, stood with his back to the former intern and groped his bottom for around a minute.The former intern said he had just finished a stint in the House of Commons and was in the bar with his parents – he was showing them around parliament and had stopped off for a drink – when the alleged incident occurred. Evans, it is claimed, stood with his back to the former intern and groped his bottom for around a minute.
A spokesman for Evans said about the alleged assault: "Mr Evans is unaware of the complaint and vigorously denies any wrongdoing."A spokesman for Evans said about the alleged assault: "Mr Evans is unaware of the complaint and vigorously denies any wrongdoing."
The Speaker's office has previously released a statement saying that, while Evans will remain deputy speaker, he will not resume chairing duties while police investigations continue.The Speaker's office has previously released a statement saying that, while Evans will remain deputy speaker, he will not resume chairing duties while police investigations continue.
All of the allegations involve men in their 20s. The original rape and sexual assault allegations relate to incidents that are claimed to have happened in Pendleton between July 2009 and March 2013.
The new indecent assault allegations relate to incidents that are claimed to have occurred in Blackpool and London between 2003 and 2011.
Lancashire police said: "We take all allegations of a sexual nature extremely seriously and understand how difficult it can be for victims to have the confidence to come forward.
"As a constabulary, we are committed to investigating sexual offences sensitively but robustly, recognising the impact that these types of crimes have on victims.
"We would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, or who has information about it, to have the confidence to report it to us knowing that we will take it seriously, deal with it sensitively and investigate it thoroughly."