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| Nigel Evans resigns as deputy speaker with emotional speech to MPs | Nigel Evans resigns as deputy speaker with emotional speech to MPs |
| (7 days later) | |
| Nigel Evans has given an emotional speech in the House of Commons as he stepped down as deputy speaker in order to "robustly" defend himself against charges of sexual offences against seven men, including one count of rape. | Nigel Evans has given an emotional speech in the House of Commons as he stepped down as deputy speaker in order to "robustly" defend himself against charges of sexual offences against seven men, including one count of rape. |
| The MP for Ribble Valley will sit as an independent backbencher after being charged on Tuesday night. He quoted the former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill as he told fellow MPs: "When you are going through hell, you just keep going." | The MP for Ribble Valley will sit as an independent backbencher after being charged on Tuesday night. He quoted the former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill as he told fellow MPs: "When you are going through hell, you just keep going." |
| The 55-year-old politician denies all of the allegations, which include one count of rape, two counts of indecent assault and five counts of sexual assault. | The 55-year-old politician denies all of the allegations, which include one count of rape, two counts of indecent assault and five counts of sexual assault. |
| He told MPs: "As many of you will know following recent allegations, I was charged with alleged offences yesterday. I now have the opportunity to robustly defend my innocence and seek acquittal. I have therefore decided the best course of action is for me to return to the backbenches and this is a decision I have made myself after careful consideration. | He told MPs: "As many of you will know following recent allegations, I was charged with alleged offences yesterday. I now have the opportunity to robustly defend my innocence and seek acquittal. I have therefore decided the best course of action is for me to return to the backbenches and this is a decision I have made myself after careful consideration. |
| "I did not have the Conservative whip as deputy speaker and I am not seeking its return until after the conclusion of events. I will sit as an independent MP for the Ribble Valley." | "I did not have the Conservative whip as deputy speaker and I am not seeking its return until after the conclusion of events. I will sit as an independent MP for the Ribble Valley." |
| Evans's speech was warmly received by many Tory MPs and he was later praised by John Bercow, the Speaker, as an "exemplary" deputy. | Evans's speech was warmly received by many Tory MPs and he was later praised by John Bercow, the Speaker, as an "exemplary" deputy. |
| Evans said he was very grateful for the support he had received "from all sides of the house". | Evans said he was very grateful for the support he had received "from all sides of the house". |
| He especially thanked Bercow, and the two Labour deputies Lindsay Hoyle and Dawn Primarolo, who he said gave him a hug when he decided to step down. He said even some journalists had expressed support. | He especially thanked Bercow, and the two Labour deputies Lindsay Hoyle and Dawn Primarolo, who he said gave him a hug when he decided to step down. He said even some journalists had expressed support. |
| Evans said he had been in the "land of limbo" since he was arrested earlier this year, which left him unable to fulfil his duties. | Evans said he had been in the "land of limbo" since he was arrested earlier this year, which left him unable to fulfil his duties. |
| He was charged after answering bail on Tuesday having previously been arrested in May and June. He was rearrested and interviewed by detectives throughout the day before being charged. | He was charged after answering bail on Tuesday having previously been arrested in May and June. He was rearrested and interviewed by detectives throughout the day before being charged. |
| Speaking outside Preston police station on Tuesday night, Evans said: "May I reassure everyone at this time that I will robustly defend my innocence. | Speaking outside Preston police station on Tuesday night, Evans said: "May I reassure everyone at this time that I will robustly defend my innocence. |
| "I have today answered bail following complaints I say were incredulous [sic]. Whilst I am saddened this case has not been closed today, I am certain of two things: firstly that I am innocent, and secondly that my innocence will be demonstrated." | "I have today answered bail following complaints I say were incredulous [sic]. Whilst I am saddened this case has not been closed today, I am certain of two things: firstly that I am innocent, and secondly that my innocence will be demonstrated." |
| The indecent assaults are alleged to have been committed between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2004; the sexual assaults between 1 January 2009 and 1 April 2013, and the rape between 29 March and 1 April 2013. Evans will appear before magistrates in Preston on 18 September. | The indecent assaults are alleged to have been committed between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2004; the sexual assaults between 1 January 2009 and 1 April 2013, and the rape between 29 March and 1 April 2013. Evans will appear before magistrates in Preston on 18 September. |
| Keir Starmer QC, the director of public prosecutions, said on Tuesday night: "Following an investigation by Lancashire police, the Crown Prosecution Service has received a file of evidence in the case of Mr Nigel Evans MP which concerns allegations of a sexual nature. | Keir Starmer QC, the director of public prosecutions, said on Tuesday night: "Following an investigation by Lancashire police, the Crown Prosecution Service has received a file of evidence in the case of Mr Nigel Evans MP which concerns allegations of a sexual nature. |
| "After careful consideration, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to prosecute Mr Evans. | "After careful consideration, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to prosecute Mr Evans. |
| "Lancashire constabulary has therefore been authorised to charge two counts of indecent assault, five counts of sexual assault and one count of rape relating to a total of seven alleged victims." | "Lancashire constabulary has therefore been authorised to charge two counts of indecent assault, five counts of sexual assault and one count of rape relating to a total of seven alleged victims." |
| Evans was first elected to parliament in 1992, regaining Ribble Valley from the Liberal Democrats at the general election in that year. | Evans was first elected to parliament in 1992, regaining Ribble Valley from the Liberal Democrats at the general election in that year. |
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