'These allegations are completely false and are made by two men who until yesterday I regarded as friends': Deputy Speaker denies gay rape claims after he was released on bail

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons today denied allegations that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another - describing the claims as 'completely false'.
Conservative MP Nigel Evans, 55, was arrested yesterday and questioned over offences dating from 2009 to March this year before being released on bail last night.
Speaking outside his home in Pendleton, Lancashire, he today expressed his 'incredulity' at the allegations made by two men he had regarded as 'friends'.

Denial: Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans gives a statement over his arrest after allegations of rape and sexual assault

Mr Evans, Conservative MP for Ribble Valley, today said that he had considered the two men who made the allegations against him o be 'friends'

He said: 'Yesterday I was interviewed by the police concerning two complaints, one of which dates back four years, involving two people well known to each other and who, until yesterday, I regarded as friends.

'The complaints are completely false. I cannot understand why they were made, especially as I continued to socialise with one as recently as last week.
'I appreciate the way the police have handled this in a sensitive manner and I would like to thank my colleagues, friends and members of the public who have continued to express their support and, like me, a sense of incredulity at these events.'
Pictures taken during his brief statement appeared to show the MP had covered up a scar on his forehead with make-up.
His statement came shortly after Defence Secretary Philip Hammond admitted it would be 'very difficult' for Mr Evans to carry on as deputy speaker while the matter was being investigated.

Deputy House speaker Nigel Evans said in his statement that he had socialised with one of his accusers as recently as last week

Close up: Mr Evans appeared to have covered up a scar on his forehead with make-up when he addressed the press outside his home today

Speaking on the Andrew Marr show, he said: 'I stick rigidly to the view that we should treat people as innocent until they are proven guilty but it is quite difficult to carry out a sensitive and high profile role while being under this kind of scrutiny.'
Mr Hammond added that Mr Evans' position was one for the Speaker to consider.
The Defence Secretary also expressed his shock at the allegations, saying: 'I know Nigel well, I have known him for years. I'm obviously as shocked as everybody else is.'
Forensic teams were yesterday searching his two homes in London and Pendleton, Lancashire, as part of their inquiries.
They could be seen examining his white Saab convertible, which was parked near his constituency home.

'Incredulity': Mr Evans said he could not understand why the 'completely false' accusations had been made

Support: The Deputy House speaker Nigel Evans thanked his colleagues, friends and members of the public for their support

 

Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans makes a statement after police raid

No charges have been brought against Mr Evans, who came out as gay in a 2010 article for The Mail on Sunday.

A QUESTION OF ANONYMITY

Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Blair today claimed Nigel Evans would probably not have been named if he wasn't a public figure.
Speaking to Dermot Murnaghan on Sky News, he said: 'There is a real problem here about people being named, particularly around sexual offences, and I think the names have to be given.
'I think one of the things that we really ought to be appealing to the press and the media in general is that if somebody is named in those circumstances but is either not charged or acquitted then some prominence needs to be given to that in the press.'

The allegations against Mr Evans, 55, concern incidents that are said to have taken place from 2009 right up to a few weeks ago, spanning the entire period during which he has officiated over Commons debates in the famous Speaker’s chair.
They are understood to relate to two men in their 20s.
Both Speaker John Bercow and David Cameron have been told of the arrest. Mr Bercow said: ‘It’s been a total shock.
'Nigel is a popular and well-liked character. No one can quite believe what’s happened.’
A spokeswoman for Lancashire police yesterday said: ‘A 55-year-old man from Pendleton in Lancashire has today been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.
'The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day. The offences are alleged to have been committed in Pendleton between July 2009 and March 2013.

Going home: Nigel Evans was last night driven from Preston police station after questioning by detectives

Thorough: Officers search the MP's white Saab convertible parked in his home village of Pendleton in Lancashire

We take all allegations of a sexual nature extremely seriously and understand how difficult it can be for victims to have the confidence to come forward.
‘As a constabulary, we are committed to investigating sexual offences sensitively but robustly, recognising the impact that these types of crimes have on victims.
‘We would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, or who has information about it, to have the confidence to report it to us knowing that we will take it seriously, deal with it sensitively and investigate it thoroughly.’

She added: ‘Following the arrest, police can confirm they are searching addresses in Pendleton and  London in connection with the  investigation. The offences relate to two men.’
A Commons spokesman said: ‘This is a matter for the police and we will not be making any comment.’
Swansea-born Mr Evans, who worked in his family supermarket business before entering politics, has been a Tory MP since 1992.

Arrested: Nigel Evans is pictured with David Cameron, who has been informed about the claims

Quizzed: Mr Evans is pictured posing with two dancers

He held a series of senior posts and was Parliamentary Private Secretary to William Hague in 1996, when Hague was in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Wales.
In June 2010, he was elected as one of Mr Bercow’s three deputies,  bringing his total parliamentary salary to £102,000 a year. He has been tipped as a possible successor to the Speaker’s job.
Tory loyalist Mr Evans is a strong supporter of Mr Cameron. Just two weeks ago, they both took part in a photo-call to promote a campaign led by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates to eradicate polio.
In July 2010, Mr Evans chose to come out as gay in a candid article in The Mail on Sunday.
He timed it to mark the launch of a group set up to help MPs and parliamentary staff be open about their sexuality.
Mr Evans said he was ‘tired of living a lie’ and had, in the past, received threats of blackmail from political enemies threatening to expose him.
He said: ‘The MP was saying to anyone who would listen, “Why is it that Nigel Evans leads a life whereby he is gay to some people and not others?”’

Quaint: This image shows Mr Evans' village in Pendleton. His white Saab is pictured to the left of the stream in the distance

On patrol: Uniformed Lancashire Police officers maintain their presence in the village

Mr Evans refused to name the Labour politician, but added: ‘I could not afford it to be used as leverage against me. I couldn’t take the risk. I don’t want any other MP to face that kind of nastiness again.
‘I am sure there are other gay MPs who would like to be open about their sexuality but are fearful of the consequences. I hope this new group will help them to do so.’
Mr Evans’s decision to come out was partly as a result of a chance conversation with a friend, the actress Vicky Entwistle, who played Janice Battersby in Coronation Street and who lives in Mr Evans’s Ribble Valley constituency.
Mr Evans said: ‘We went for a drink and she said to me, “You’re gay, aren’t you?” It’s a subject I avoid usually but Vicky is very natural and I told her I was. I thought to myself, “I am now telling people I am gay – it’s time I did something about it and told everyone.” ’

He was also encouraged by fellow Welshman and rugby union star Gareth Thomas, who came out in 2009. ‘If people like Gareth, who was married, can come out, it should be no big deal for me,’ said Mr Evans.
In 1998, Mr Evans voted against lowering the age of gay consent from 18 to 16. Two years later, he voted in favour of the measure. The law was finally changed in 2001.

Making a stand: Mr Evans, left, is pictured with Speaker John Bercow, right, at last year's Gay Pride march

Fun: Mr Evans, left, poses for a photograph in front of the Houses of Parliament with members of the circus industry in March 2011

Mr Evans, right, is pictured with pop group the Cheeky Girls at a Parliamentary Palace of Varieties show for charity. He is joined by Lembit Opik MP, left, and Stephen Pound MP, centre,

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