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Trial of former deputy speaker Nigel Evans begins in Preston | Trial of former deputy speaker Nigel Evans begins in Preston |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Speaker of the House of Commons is to give evidence in the trial of MP Nigel Evans, who is accused of various sexual offences. | The Speaker of the House of Commons is to give evidence in the trial of MP Nigel Evans, who is accused of various sexual offences. |
John Bercow is listed among prosecution witnesses in the case against the former deputy speaker. | John Bercow is listed among prosecution witnesses in the case against the former deputy speaker. |
Evans, 56, faces nine charges in all, dating from 2002 to 1 April last year. He denies two counts of indecent assault, six of sexual assault and one of rape. | Evans, 56, faces nine charges in all, dating from 2002 to 1 April last year. He denies two counts of indecent assault, six of sexual assault and one of rape. |
Before the jury was sworn in at Preston crown court, potential jurors were asked if they had any personal acquaintance with any prosecution witnesses – some of whom are public figures – or with Evans. | |
Bercow was among the names read out by prosecutor Mark Heywood QC, along with fellow MPs Sarah Wollaston, Michael Fabricant, Patrick McLoughlin, Sir John Randall, Conor Burns and Tom Blenkinsop. | |
Former MPs Lembit Öpik and Adam Pryce are also listed as witnesses for the crown. | Former MPs Lembit Öpik and Adam Pryce are also listed as witnesses for the crown. |
Potential jurors were also asked if they had ever lived in Evans's Ribble Valley constituency. | Potential jurors were also asked if they had ever lived in Evans's Ribble Valley constituency. |
The indecent assaults are alleged to have been committed between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2004; the sexual assaults – said to be touching without consent – between 1 January 2009 and 1 April last year; and the rape between 29 March and 1 April last year. | The indecent assaults are alleged to have been committed between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2004; the sexual assaults – said to be touching without consent – between 1 January 2009 and 1 April last year; and the rape between 29 March and 1 April last year. |
None of the seven alleged victims, all adult males, can be named, as the law bans the identification of complainants of sexual offences. | None of the seven alleged victims, all adult males, can be named, as the law bans the identification of complainants of sexual offences. |
Addressing the jury, trial judge Mr Justice King said: "No doubt you will have worked out, I am sure, that this case involves a public figure. It involves a politician. It involves members of parliament. | Addressing the jury, trial judge Mr Justice King said: "No doubt you will have worked out, I am sure, that this case involves a public figure. It involves a politician. It involves members of parliament. |
"Don't be overawed by that. Be dispassionate throughout the case. | "Don't be overawed by that. Be dispassionate throughout the case. |
"Try Mr Evans only on the evidence. Put out of your mind any political views or prejudice you may have. Try this case only on the evidence." | "Try Mr Evans only on the evidence. Put out of your mind any political views or prejudice you may have. Try this case only on the evidence." |
Evans resigned as Commons deputy speaker after he was charged on 10 September last year. | Evans resigned as Commons deputy speaker after he was charged on 10 September last year. |
The Swansea-born MP, who lives in Pendleton, Lancashire, was one of three deputy speakers elected in a secret ballot of MPs in 2010. He was a vice-chairman of the Conservative party from 1999 to 2001. | The Swansea-born MP, who lives in Pendleton, Lancashire, was one of three deputy speakers elected in a secret ballot of MPs in 2010. He was a vice-chairman of the Conservative party from 1999 to 2001. |
His trial is expected to last up to five weeks. | His trial is expected to last up to five weeks. |
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