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John Bercow cancelled meeting with Nigel Evans complainant, court hears John Bercow cancelled meeting with Nigel Evans complainant, court hears
(about 3 hours later)
An MP has said she felt frustrated when the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, informed her that for legal reasons he could not speak to a young man who claimed he had been raped by the deputy speaker Nigel Evans.An MP has said she felt frustrated when the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, informed her that for legal reasons he could not speak to a young man who claimed he had been raped by the deputy speaker Nigel Evans.
Sarah Wollaston described in court her reaction when Bercow said he could not hear the personal account of the complainant because of legal advice given, partly because the alleged rape had not taken place on the parliamentary estate.Sarah Wollaston described in court her reaction when Bercow said he could not hear the personal account of the complainant because of legal advice given, partly because the alleged rape had not taken place on the parliamentary estate.
She told Preston crown court that two of the seven complainants who claimed Evans sexually assaulted them had confided in her.She told Preston crown court that two of the seven complainants who claimed Evans sexually assaulted them had confided in her.
One Westminster worker said Evans placed his hand in his underwear while he slept on a sofa at Evans's home in Lancashire in the summer of 2009, and another man said to her that he had been raped at Evans's home following a dinner party last Easter.One Westminster worker said Evans placed his hand in his underwear while he slept on a sofa at Evans's home in Lancashire in the summer of 2009, and another man said to her that he had been raped at Evans's home following a dinner party last Easter.
Wollaston outlined the sequence of events of her involvement with the two complainants, which eventually led to the police being involved.Wollaston outlined the sequence of events of her involvement with the two complainants, which eventually led to the police being involved.
She told the jury she was a qualified GP – not practising presently – who had previously worked as a police forensic examiner where she dealt with victims of sexual and domestic violence.She told the jury she was a qualified GP – not practising presently – who had previously worked as a police forensic examiner where she dealt with victims of sexual and domestic violence.
She said the sexual assault complainant first raised the matter with her last March in the Stranger's Bar at the House of Commons during a general conversation about "issues that had been raised before to me on many occasions by House of Commons staff".She said the sexual assault complainant first raised the matter with her last March in the Stranger's Bar at the House of Commons during a general conversation about "issues that had been raised before to me on many occasions by House of Commons staff".
She said: "He alluded to having been assaulted by an MP."She said: "He alluded to having been assaulted by an MP."
A month later at a one-on-one meeting the complainant outlined the detail of the allegation to her and his subsequent discussion with Tory whips in 2009 in which he called for Evans's resignation.A month later at a one-on-one meeting the complainant outlined the detail of the allegation to her and his subsequent discussion with Tory whips in 2009 in which he called for Evans's resignation.
She said: "He was unhappy about the way it had been previously handled when he had taken his complaint to the whips."She said: "He was unhappy about the way it had been previously handled when he had taken his complaint to the whips."
Wollaston then set up a meeting with the Speaker later the same day. Shortly before the meeting she received a phone call from the rape complainant who outlined his claims. She said he agreed that she would raise his concerns with Bercow but would not give his name.Wollaston then set up a meeting with the Speaker later the same day. Shortly before the meeting she received a phone call from the rape complainant who outlined his claims. She said he agreed that she would raise his concerns with Bercow but would not give his name.
The meeting with Bercow then took place with his secretary and the sexual assault complainant present in the room. Both allegations were outlined to the Speaker who said he would take advice before considering what to do about them, Wollaston said. The meeting with Bercow then took place with his secretary and the sexual assault complainant present in the room. Both allegations were outlined to the Speaker, who said he would take advice before considering what to do about them, Wollaston said.
She said a provisional appointment was made for the Speaker to see the rape complainant the following week. But before that date she was informed that the Speaker would not proceed with the second meeting due to advice given by parliamentary counsel that it was a matter for the police.She said a provisional appointment was made for the Speaker to see the rape complainant the following week. But before that date she was informed that the Speaker would not proceed with the second meeting due to advice given by parliamentary counsel that it was a matter for the police.
Mark Heywood QC, prosecuting, asked her: "So far as your own position, that was a matter of frustration?" Wollaston replied: "Yes."Mark Heywood QC, prosecuting, asked her: "So far as your own position, that was a matter of frustration?" Wollaston replied: "Yes."
The Tory MP for Totnes said she was contacted by police and told them she could not pass on the details of the complainants as she thought it was up to them to make contact. "It was clear there was no other alternative if they wished to take it further," she said.The Tory MP for Totnes said she was contacted by police and told them she could not pass on the details of the complainants as she thought it was up to them to make contact. "It was clear there was no other alternative if they wished to take it further," she said.
Evans is alleged to have sexually assaulted seven young men on various dates between 2002 and last year by using his "powerful" political influence to take advantage of them. He denies one rape, two indecent assaults and six sexual assaults.Evans is alleged to have sexually assaulted seven young men on various dates between 2002 and last year by using his "powerful" political influence to take advantage of them. He denies one rape, two indecent assaults and six sexual assaults.
The trial was adjourned before lunch when a juror was taken ill, and will continue on Tuesday.The trial was adjourned before lunch when a juror was taken ill, and will continue on Tuesday.