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Tories attack CPS over handling of Nigel Evans case Tories attack CPS over handling of Nigel Evans case
(about 4 hours later)
Senior Conservatives went to war with the Crown Prosecution Service over its decision to prosecute Nigel Evans for rape and sexual assault after the former Commons deputy speaker became the latest public figure to be cleared of similar allegations in court.Senior Conservatives went to war with the Crown Prosecution Service over its decision to prosecute Nigel Evans for rape and sexual assault after the former Commons deputy speaker became the latest public figure to be cleared of similar allegations in court.
Colleagues called for a review of sex-related prosecutions, warning that men's lives are at risk of being ruined, as Evans spoke of his "11 months of hell" since he was first arrested on suspicion of rape and assaulting six other men over a 10-year period. It comes after the CPS has unsuccessfully brought cases against celebrities including Dave Lee Travis, Michael Le Vell and Bill Roache.Colleagues called for a review of sex-related prosecutions, warning that men's lives are at risk of being ruined, as Evans spoke of his "11 months of hell" since he was first arrested on suspicion of rape and assaulting six other men over a 10-year period. It comes after the CPS has unsuccessfully brought cases against celebrities including Dave Lee Travis, Michael Le Vell and Bill Roache.
The Tory MP for Ribble Valley was found not guilty of all nine counts on Thursday following a five-week trial at Preston crown court, where he was accused of abusing his power to attack young Commons workers between 2003 and March last year.The Tory MP for Ribble Valley was found not guilty of all nine counts on Thursday following a five-week trial at Preston crown court, where he was accused of abusing his power to attack young Commons workers between 2003 and March last year.
There were sobs and shouts of "yes" from the public gallery as the verdicts were read. Speaking from the court steps he thanked his legal team and said: "Nothing will ever be the same again."There were sobs and shouts of "yes" from the public gallery as the verdicts were read. Speaking from the court steps he thanked his legal team and said: "Nothing will ever be the same again."
David Cameron said it was "hard to imagine the relief Nigel must feel" and hinted that the whip could be restored to him following discussions after the Easter recess.David Cameron said it was "hard to imagine the relief Nigel must feel" and hinted that the whip could be restored to him following discussions after the Easter recess.
Regardless of the outcome, the case has shone a spotlight on the hard-drinking culture of Westminster and brought allegations that the Conservative party could have avoided police involvement if it had taken complaints of inappropriate behaviour against Evans more seriously.Regardless of the outcome, the case has shone a spotlight on the hard-drinking culture of Westminster and brought allegations that the Conservative party could have avoided police involvement if it had taken complaints of inappropriate behaviour against Evans more seriously.
During the case, Evans admitted making inappropriate drunken passes but strongly denied any criminal behaviour and said he had consensual sex with one of the complainants. The case has prompted the Conservative chief whip, Sir George Young, to send out a voluntary code of conduct and grievance procedure for staff working in parliamentary offices. Channel 4 News revealed a survey of Westminster workers suggesting unwanted sexual approaches were part of the fabric of political life.During the case, Evans admitted making inappropriate drunken passes but strongly denied any criminal behaviour and said he had consensual sex with one of the complainants. The case has prompted the Conservative chief whip, Sir George Young, to send out a voluntary code of conduct and grievance procedure for staff working in parliamentary offices. Channel 4 News revealed a survey of Westminster workers suggesting unwanted sexual approaches were part of the fabric of political life.
The code of conduct will urge MPs to make sure researchers and administrative staff work in an environment "free from harassment and bullying, and inappropriate language". A grievance procedure will "protect both parties involved, bring with it consistency and fairness, and in doing so upholds the reputation of the party and of parliament".The code of conduct will urge MPs to make sure researchers and administrative staff work in an environment "free from harassment and bullying, and inappropriate language". A grievance procedure will "protect both parties involved, bring with it consistency and fairness, and in doing so upholds the reputation of the party and of parliament".
However many Tory MPs appeared more concerned about the actions of the CPS, with allies of Evans claiming both police and prosecutors had questions to answer. One of the alleged victims in the trial told ITV news following the verdict: "I don't believe he [Evans] should have been charged. I don't think it was a criminal act. It's the sort of thing that happens in every bar. It wasn't a big deal."However many Tory MPs appeared more concerned about the actions of the CPS, with allies of Evans claiming both police and prosecutors had questions to answer. One of the alleged victims in the trial told ITV news following the verdict: "I don't believe he [Evans] should have been charged. I don't think it was a criminal act. It's the sort of thing that happens in every bar. It wasn't a big deal."
The prime minister's spokesman said Cameron has confidence in the work of the CPS when asked about its recent high-profile failed prosecutions.The prime minister's spokesman said Cameron has confidence in the work of the CPS when asked about its recent high-profile failed prosecutions.
David Davis, the Tory MP and a former shadow home secretary, called for an urgent overhaul of the way sexual offences are prosecuted in the light of Evans's acquittal. David Davis, the Conservative MP and a former shadow home secretary, called for an urgent overhaul of the way sexual offences are prosecuted in the light of Evans's acquittal yesterday.
"This case has highlighted serious concerns over how the police and the Crown Prosecution Service bring sexual offence cases to court," he said."This case has highlighted serious concerns over how the police and the Crown Prosecution Service bring sexual offence cases to court," he said.
"In particular we must now review the process whereby the police and the Crown Prosecution Service put together a large number of lesser, subsidiary cases in order to reinforce one serious case when prosecuting sexual offences. It is clear from the way that this case proceeded that there is a risk of a serious injustice being done to an innocent man, and I would call on the attorney general to urgently review this issue.""In particular we must now review the process whereby the police and the Crown Prosecution Service put together a large number of lesser, subsidiary cases in order to reinforce one serious case when prosecuting sexual offences. It is clear from the way that this case proceeded that there is a risk of a serious injustice being done to an innocent man, and I would call on the attorney general to urgently review this issue."
In a scathing analysis of the case, Evans's solicitor, Daniel Berk, also suggested the police and the CPS had pursued the case more vigorously because of the MP's high-profile public role.In a scathing analysis of the case, Evans's solicitor, Daniel Berk, also suggested the police and the CPS had pursued the case more vigorously because of the MP's high-profile public role.
"They put far more resources into this than they would if the complainant was a member of the public and the defendant was not somebody in the public eye," he told the BBC Radio 4 PM programme."They put far more resources into this than they would if the complainant was a member of the public and the defendant was not somebody in the public eye," he told the BBC Radio 4 PM programme.
"I have dealt with cases involving allegations of rape and sexual assault before. Normally there would be a couple of detective constables investigating it and perhaps a middle-ranking barrister prosecuting."I have dealt with cases involving allegations of rape and sexual assault before. Normally there would be a couple of detective constables investigating it and perhaps a middle-ranking barrister prosecuting.
"In this case there was a large police team. It came out in evidence that the police had gone out of their way to find complaints – two of which dated back 10 years and both of whom said in evidence that they were somewhat surprised to find themselves in court."In this case there was a large police team. It came out in evidence that the police had gone out of their way to find complaints – two of which dated back 10 years and both of whom said in evidence that they were somewhat surprised to find themselves in court.
"They also instructed senior Treasury counsel - a QC - which, again, would not be typical in a case like this.""They also instructed senior Treasury counsel - a QC - which, again, would not be typical in a case like this."
Former prisons minister Crispin Blunt also demanded a fresh look at whether defendants in sexual offence cases should be given anonymity up to the point of charge, although sources close to Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, said there were no plans to legislate on this issue.Former prisons minister Crispin Blunt also demanded a fresh look at whether defendants in sexual offence cases should be given anonymity up to the point of charge, although sources close to Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, said there were no plans to legislate on this issue.
Blunt told Sky News: "There are no winners in this process, only victims; and that's why I do think the CPS should examine their procedures and the way this prosecution was conducted because the whole process hasn't helped anybody and the verdict has not come as the slightest surprise to me."Blunt told Sky News: "There are no winners in this process, only victims; and that's why I do think the CPS should examine their procedures and the way this prosecution was conducted because the whole process hasn't helped anybody and the verdict has not come as the slightest surprise to me."
Asked if he believed the CPS had been over-zealous, he replied: "Yes, I'm afraid I do. If you look at how the case was constructed against Nigel, a lot of the complainants, well, they weren't complainants, they did not regard themselves as victims and they didn't actually want to be in court. So, this, to a degree, was quite an artificial prosecution."Asked if he believed the CPS had been over-zealous, he replied: "Yes, I'm afraid I do. If you look at how the case was constructed against Nigel, a lot of the complainants, well, they weren't complainants, they did not regard themselves as victims and they didn't actually want to be in court. So, this, to a degree, was quite an artificial prosecution."
One MP, David Morris, has now written to John Bercow, the Speaker of the house, asking for the deputy to be reinstated, even though MPs have now voted for the role to be handed to Eleanor Laing.One MP, David Morris, has now written to John Bercow, the Speaker of the house, asking for the deputy to be reinstated, even though MPs have now voted for the role to be handed to Eleanor Laing.
Another, Mark Pritchard, asked: "What was Lancashire police's motive in pursuing the Nigel Evans case – given there was manifestly insufficient evidence to prosecute?"Another, Mark Pritchard, asked: "What was Lancashire police's motive in pursuing the Nigel Evans case – given there was manifestly insufficient evidence to prosecute?"
Another backbencher, Peter Bone, said there were "serious questions for the police and CPS to answer", while his colleague Alun Cairns tweeted: "surely prosecutors have questions to answer in Nigel Evans case, after Roach & Le Vell".Another backbencher, Peter Bone, said there were "serious questions for the police and CPS to answer", while his colleague Alun Cairns tweeted: "surely prosecutors have questions to answer in Nigel Evans case, after Roach & Le Vell".
In response to the criticism, a CPS spokesman 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".In response to the criticism, a CPS spokesman 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".
"That evidence could only be fully explored during a trial and the jury has decided, after hearing all of the evidence, that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. We respect this decision," he said."That evidence could only be fully explored during a trial and the jury has decided, after hearing all of the evidence, that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. We respect this decision," he said.
Lancashire police also said their commitment to investigating allegations of sexual assault remained unchanged "no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender".Lancashire police also said their commitment to investigating allegations of sexual assault remained unchanged "no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender".