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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 a string of sex abuse charges, including one of rape. | Former deputy speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans has been cleared of a string of sex abuse charges, including one of rape. |
| The rape claim was one of several allegations made by seven men during a five-week trial at Preston Crown Court. | 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 was said to have used his political influence to take advantage of his alleged victims. | The former Conservative MP was said to have used his political influence to take advantage of his alleged victims. |
| But the defence pointed out inconsistencies in various witness accounts. | But the defence pointed out inconsistencies in various witness accounts. |
| 'Months of hell' | |
| The jury unanimously found Mr Evans not guilty of one count of rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted sexual assault and two indecent assaults. | The jury unanimously found Mr Evans not guilty of one count of rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted sexual assault and two indecent assaults. |
| The 56-year Ribble Valley MP burst into tears as the verdicts were announced. | The 56-year Ribble Valley MP burst into tears as the verdicts were announced. |
| Speaking outside the court, Mr Evans said he had been "through 11 months of hell". | Speaking outside the court, Mr Evans said he had been "through 11 months of hell". |
| The MP said: "This isn't a time for celebration or euphoria. | |
| "As William Roache said on this very spot, there are no winners in these cases, so no celebration. | |
| "Nothing will ever be the same again." | "Nothing will ever be the same again." |
| Support for Mr Evans has been pouring in from his fellow MPs. | |
| Labour MP for Huddersfield Barry Sheerman said: "He may have been a bit daft on occasions but never malign." | |
| 'Horrid experience' | |
| Michael Fabricant, who was sacked as Conservative party vice-chairman on Wednesday, wrote on Twitter: "Wonderful news that Nigel Evans has been acquitted on all counts. The party whip must now be restored to him without delay!" | |
| Conservative MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire Stephen Crabb tweeted: "So pleased for my friend Nigel Evans today. A good man. Horrid experience to go through." | |
| Fellow Conservative MP Peter Bone said police and prosecutors faced "serious questions" over their handling of the case. | |
| He tweeted: "Good day for Nigel Evans but why was he charged in the first place? Serious questions for the police and CPS to answer! So pleased for Nigel." | |
| A CPS spokesperson said: "The complainants in this case provided clear accounts of the alleged offending and it was right that all of the evidence was put before a jury." | |
| Lancashire Police said all the evidence had been carefully scrutinised and the force remained committed to investigating allegations, no mater how historical and regardless of the status of the alleged offender. | |
| Mr Evans's trial had heard he raped a man after a dinner party at the MP's home in Pendleton, Lancashire, in March last year. | |
| The 56-year-old MP said the sex with the complainant, aged 22, 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. | 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 jury heard in his defence that these were examples of "drunken over-familiarity" and Mr Evans had no recollection of either event. |
| The MP, who currently represents his constituents as an independent, gave 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." | 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. | 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, became deputy speaker in June 2010, a politically neutral role. | Mr Evans, who was born in Swansea and lives in Pendleton, Lancashire, became deputy speaker in June 2010, a politically neutral role. |
| He resigned from the post after he was charged in September 2013. | He resigned from the post after he was charged in September 2013. |