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MP Nigel Evans sex abuse trial hears 'Benny Hill' claim | MP Nigel Evans sex abuse trial hears 'Benny Hill' claim |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans told his sex abuse trial he was being depicted as "a cross between Alan Clark, Benny Hill and Oscar Wilde". | Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans told his sex abuse trial he was being depicted as "a cross between Alan Clark, Benny Hill and Oscar Wilde". |
The Ribble Valley MP said claims he sexually abused men were "ridiculous", but had effectively ended his ambitions of becoming House of Commons speaker. | The Ribble Valley MP said claims he sexually abused men were "ridiculous", but had effectively ended his ambitions of becoming House of Commons speaker. |
The 56-year-old was being cross-examined by prosecution barrister Mark Heywood QC at Preston Crown Court. | The 56-year-old was being cross-examined by prosecution barrister Mark Heywood QC at Preston Crown Court. |
Mr Evans denies rape, two indecent assaults and six sexual assaults. | Mr Evans denies rape, two indecent assaults and six sexual assaults. |
'Own free will' | |
He is alleged to have committed the offences between 2002 and last year. | He is alleged to have committed the offences between 2002 and last year. |
Mr Heywood questioned Mr Evans about the alleged rape of a 22-year-old man after a dinner party at the MP's home in Pendleton, Lancashire last March. | |
Mr Evans told the prosecutor he initiated kissing and cuddling downstairs before they went to his bedroom "both of their own free will". | |
The barrister accused him of taking advantage of the alleged victim, to which the MP said: "No, not at all." | |
Mr Heywood said the young man said he was tired, but Mr Evans said he could not recall this. | |
The barrister then said the MP recommended sexual activity and the man was passive. | |
Mr Evans denied it, and later said: "What did he expect when we both got into the bed in our underwear when there were two other bedrooms? | |
"We both entered my bedroom of our own free will and we had consensual sex." | |
'Bizarre to bunkum' | |
Referring to two allegations that Mr Evans had placed his hand in the trousers of men in public, Mr Heywood asked him: "There is evidence in each of these two incidents that what took place was without any eye contact. | |
"Was this you using hands where words were not available to you?" | "Was this you using hands where words were not available to you?" |
Mr Evans replied: "No. It is trying to make me out to be a cross between Alan Clark, Benny Hill and Oscar Wilde. It's ridiculous." | Mr Evans replied: "No. It is trying to make me out to be a cross between Alan Clark, Benny Hill and Oscar Wilde. It's ridiculous." |
The court heard the MP had no recollection of the two events, one alleged to have taken place in a bar in Soho, London, in late 2002 or early 2003 and the other at the Imperial Hotel bar at the 2003 Conservative Party conference in Blackpool. | The court heard the MP had no recollection of the two events, one alleged to have taken place in a bar in Soho, London, in late 2002 or early 2003 and the other at the Imperial Hotel bar at the 2003 Conservative Party conference in Blackpool. |
He denied he had made a pass on those occasions, and also when with a young man at the Houses of Parliament in 2009. | |
Mr Evans is alleged to have leaned forward to kiss the man behind a curtain near the Strangers Bar. | Mr Evans is alleged to have leaned forward to kiss the man behind a curtain near the Strangers Bar. |
The MP said it "goes from the bizarre to the bunkum" that he would do that. | The MP said it "goes from the bizarre to the bunkum" that he would do that. |
Neutral role | |
The jury heard him also deny allegations he "cupped" the genitals of another man shortly after being introduced to him in Strangers Bar. | The jury heard him also deny allegations he "cupped" the genitals of another man shortly after being introduced to him in Strangers Bar. |
Mr Evans said: "With several people watching? No." | Mr Evans said: "With several people watching? No." |
The MP also denied sexually assaulting a Westminster worker in a kitchen near his deputy speaker's offices last March. | |
Mr Evans was a Conservative MP before becoming deputy speaker in June 2010, a politically-neutral role. | |
He has not returned to the Conservatives in the Commons and is representing his constituents as an independent. | He has not returned to the Conservatives in the Commons and is representing his constituents as an independent. |
The trial continues on Thursday. |