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MP Nigel Evans cleared of sexual assaults MP Nigel Evans cleared of sexual assaults
(35 minutes later)
Former deputy speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans has been cleared of sex abuse by a jury. Former deputy speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans has been cleared of a string of sex abuse charges, including one of rape.
Mr Evans, 56, denied rape, two indecent assaults, five sexual assaults and an attempted sexual assault against seven young men from 2003 to 2013. The rape claim was one of several allegations made by seven men during a five-week trial at Preston Crown Court.
The former Conservative MP, who stands as an independent for the Ribble Valley, was found not guilty after a trial at Preston Crown Court. The former Conservative MP was said to have used his political influence to take advantage of his alleged victims.
Mr Evans resigned as deputy speaker after he was charged in September 2013. But the defence pointed out inconsistencies in various witness accounts.
The jury unanimously found Evans not guilty of one count of rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted sexual assault and two indecent assaults.
'Hand down trousers'
The rape complainant, aged 22, told the jury he was assaulted by Mr Evans after a dinner party at the defendant's home in Pendleton, Lancashire, in March last year.
But the 56-year-old MP said the sex was consensual.
In 2003, Mr Evans was said to have indecently assaulted two men in their 20s when he approached them in public places while drunk and put his hand down their trousers.
The jury heard in his defence that these were examples of "drunken over-familiarity" and Mr Evans had no recollection of either event.
The MP had given up the party whip to become deputy speaker, and could potentially have it returned.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: "We are very pleased Nigel Evans has been cleared of all charges after this very difficult time."
Party sources indicated there would be discussions about Mr Evans's future with the parliamentary and constituency association in the coming days and weeks.
Mr Evans, who was born in Swansea and lives in Pendleton, Lancashire, was a Conservative MP before becoming deputy speaker in June 2010, a politically neutral role.Mr Evans, who was born in Swansea and lives in Pendleton, Lancashire, was a Conservative MP before becoming deputy speaker in June 2010, a politically neutral role.
He resigned as deputy speaker after he was charged in September 2013.