Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans faces third claim of sexual assault
A man has alleged that he was sexually assaulted by the deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Nigel Evans. It follows two earlier allegations brought against Mr Evans this month.
The Sunday Times reports that a man in his twenties has accused Mr Evans of sexually assaulting him at the House of Commons two years ago.
He reportedly came forward to Lancashire Police after Mr Evans was arrested due to allegations that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another between July 2009 and March 2013. Mr Evans denies both claims.
The new allegation will broaden the focus of investigations to London. They had previously centred on Mr Evans’ constituency of Ribble Valley in Lancashire.
Lancashire Police said: “We are speaking to a number of people in connection with this investigation, but as this is an ongoing criminal inquiry we will not be providing any further detail or any comment around any further allegations.”
The 55-year-old, who was arrested on 4 May,had said he would be away from his duties only for a few days during the Queen’s Speech debates, which are due to conclude on Wednesday.
But a House of Commons spokesman on Monday said: “The Speaker (John Bercow) and Mr Evans, First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, met on Tuesday 7 May and agreed that while Mr Evans will remain Deputy Speaker, he will not resume chairing duties while police investigations are ongoing.
“The Chairman of Ways and Means (Lindsay Hoyle) and Second Deputy Chairman (Dawn Primarolo) also support this approach.”
Mr Evans’ solicitor already said he does not intend to quit as Deputy Speaker or as an MP.
For legal reasons, we do not allow comments on this news story.
