This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27018264

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Nigel Evans urges review of historical sex assault cases Nigel Evans urges review of historical sex assault cases
(about 1 hour later)
The power of the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue historical allegations of sexual assault should be investigated, MP Nigel Evans has said.The power of the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue historical allegations of sexual assault should be investigated, MP Nigel Evans has said.
Mr Evans, cleared of rape and sexual assault charges, urged the Commons Home Affairs Committee to investigate and promised to fight "injustice".Mr Evans, cleared of rape and sexual assault charges, urged the Commons Home Affairs Committee to investigate and promised to fight "injustice".
He likened his ordeal to being "hit by an Eddie Stobart truck as you wake up and several times during the day".He likened his ordeal to being "hit by an Eddie Stobart truck as you wake up and several times during the day".
The CPS has insisted the decision to take Mr Evans to court was correct.The CPS has insisted the decision to take Mr Evans to court was correct.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Evans, who stepped down as deputy Speaker of the Commons to fight the allegations, said he would not seek to return to the role, although colleagues - including his replacement Eleanor Laing - had offered to stand down to allow this.Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Evans, who stepped down as deputy Speaker of the Commons to fight the allegations, said he would not seek to return to the role, although colleagues - including his replacement Eleanor Laing - had offered to stand down to allow this.
'Full glare''Full glare'
Discussing the effect of the publicity surrounding his trial, he said: "It's something I'm going to have to live with. I've no doubt at all."Discussing the effect of the publicity surrounding his trial, he said: "It's something I'm going to have to live with. I've no doubt at all."
Mr Evans, MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, said: "The people who've thrown the mud are still anonymous to this day. I was thrown into the full glare of world publicity."Mr Evans, MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, said: "The people who've thrown the mud are still anonymous to this day. I was thrown into the full glare of world publicity."
He said he had asked Keith Vaz, the Labour MP who chairs the Home Affairs Committee, "to look at these cases".He said he had asked Keith Vaz, the Labour MP who chairs the Home Affairs Committee, "to look at these cases".
He said the prosecution team in his trial had "bundled" charges together to make them "look like there was a stronger case".He said the prosecution team in his trial had "bundled" charges together to make them "look like there was a stronger case".
Mr Evans, who has admitted he contemplated suicide at points during his ordeal, thanked "friends, including hardened journalists at Westminster who didn't believe a word of it" for supporting him.Mr Evans, who has admitted he contemplated suicide at points during his ordeal, thanked "friends, including hardened journalists at Westminster who didn't believe a word of it" for supporting him.
Mr Evans, who was a Conservative MP before being elected as deputy Speaker, a politically neutral role, has not yet rejoined the party in Parliament and sits as an independent.Mr Evans, who was a Conservative MP before being elected as deputy Speaker, a politically neutral role, has not yet rejoined the party in Parliament and sits as an independent.
He said: "I want to rebuild my political career. I've been a member of Parliament for 22 years. I want to get back to doing a job I think I do very well."He said: "I want to rebuild my political career. I've been a member of Parliament for 22 years. I want to get back to doing a job I think I do very well."
Mr Evans - who has said he is £130,000 out of pocket following the case - said he would campaign for those who are wrongly accused of crimes to have their legal fees paid.Mr Evans - who has said he is £130,000 out of pocket following the case - said he would campaign for those who are wrongly accused of crimes to have their legal fees paid.
He said: "I've got an opportunity to speak out where there's injustice. I just want to make sure that I use the opportunity I've got."He said: "I've got an opportunity to speak out where there's injustice. I just want to make sure that I use the opportunity I've got."
He called on MPs to look at the system in the US, where a "statute of limitation" restricts the ability of prosecutors to pursue cases that are "decades" old.He called on MPs to look at the system in the US, where a "statute of limitation" restricts the ability of prosecutors to pursue cases that are "decades" old.
'Same test''Same test'
Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders has defended the decision to prosecute Mr Evans.Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders has defended the decision to prosecute Mr Evans.
She said on Friday that the CPS applied the "same test no matter who the offender or the victim is".She said on Friday that the CPS applied the "same test no matter who the offender or the victim is".
"We looked at all the evidence and decided there was a realistic prospect of conviction," she added."We looked at all the evidence and decided there was a realistic prospect of conviction," she added.
Lancashire Police has also defended its "fair, professional and proportionate" handling of the case.Lancashire Police has also defended its "fair, professional and proportionate" handling of the case.
Det Supt Ian Critchley said the force had pursued Mr Evans in the same way it would anyone else.Det Supt Ian Critchley said the force had pursued Mr Evans in the same way it would anyone else.
Speaking at his monthly press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "Of course the CPS will have questions to answer but I don't think we should rush to judgements on the system."
He added: "The CPS should be left entirely free and independent in how it deals with cases brought before it."
Last week Downing Street confirmed there were "no plans to change" current arrangements regarding the anonymity of defendants in sexual cases.Last week Downing Street confirmed there were "no plans to change" current arrangements regarding the anonymity of defendants in sexual cases.