Nigel Evans: Man who accused me of sexual assault is a ‘Machiavellian’ liar
Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans described a man who he is accused of sexually assaulting as a “Machiavellian” liar and “a real mess”, a court has been told.
The jury at Preston Crown Court heard today of Mr Evans’ answers to questions from detectives at Preston Police Station following his arrest last year.
The MP said to police that the man, then aged 22, was “flirtatious, moody, Tory, Labour, gay, straight…a real mess.”
The 56-year-old MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire is accused of putting his hand inside the alleged victim’s boxer shorts while the man slept on a sofa at his constituency home in Pendleton in March 2013, following a dinner party.
During an interview with police after being arrested the MP was asked why the man would lie about such a thing.
Mr Evans replied: “Because that’s what he does. He wants to be the centre of attention, the centre of attraction.”
Sky News reports during police questioning the MP was asked about a call made by the alleged victim to his girlfriend following the incident.
The police officer suggested that the man had been “fiery, upset, hyped-up, angry”.
Mr Evans replied: “He lied, she lied.”
The MP told officers the allegation of rape by one man had been made because of the “incredibly close” relationship between him and the bisexual co-accuser whom he described as “Machiavellian and manipulative”.
He added: “Incredibly mischievous. Incredible. They must have talked about this stuff.”
Denying the allegations, Mr Evans described the complainant as a “strapping lad” who was a “willing participant” as the sex was consensual.
The officer questioned Mr Evans as to why the complainant left his home the next morning without telling him.
“Buyers regret,” the MP said. “He was sorry we had sex. I accept that.”
The officer asked him if he had drunk so much alcohol at the dinner party that his judgement on whether the complainant consented was affected.
“Certainly not,” he replied.
Mr Evans denies one count of rape, two of indecent assault and six of sexual assault.
The trial continues.
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