Gay Tory Nigel Evans re-elected after false rape allegations
Out Conservative MP Nigel Evans has secured re-election, a year after he was cleared of sex abuse allegations.
The politician, MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, was fully cleared in 2014 of multiple charges of indecent and sexual assault involving several men, and of one charge of rape.
The MP, who came out in 2010, resigned as deputy speaker of the House of Commons in September 2013 after being charged.
Despite fears of a backlash against him, Mr Evans was re-elected today with 25,404 votes – above Labour’s David Hinder on 11,798.
His majority is nearly as strong as in 2010, before the allegations were made – when he received 26,298 votes compared to Labour’s 11,529.
Mr Evans was a rising star in Parliament before the allegations stifled his career and disrupted his life.
Speaking last year, he said: “As many of you know, I’ve gone through 11 months of hell. I’ve not been alone.
“Many have walked with me, including my team at Clitheroe and Westminster, my constituency association, my family, my friends, my constituents, and indeed many people who I don’t even know have sent messages of support.
“The fact is I’ve got work to do, work that I’ve done for the last 22 years. All I can say is that after the last 11 months that I’ve gone through nothing will ever be the same again.”
