Nigel Evans has resigned as a House of Commons deputy speaker after the director of public prosecutions announced that the Conservative MP would be charged with sex offences against seven men.
The 55-year-old politician, who denies all of the allegations and pledged on Tuesday night to continue working as an MP from the backbenches, is accused of two counts of indecent assault, five counts of sexual assault and one rape count.
Evans, who represents the Ribble Valley constituency in Lancashire, answered 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, 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. 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."
Evans confirmed that he would be resigning from his deputy speaker role, having informed his fellow deputy speakers, Lindsay Hoyle and Dawn Primarolo, as well as his association chairman and staff.
He added: "I appreciate this case will create a great deal of media interest but after today I will not be making any further comment until the case concludes."
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. He 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.
"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.
"The decision in this case was taken by Joanne Cunliffe, an experienced specialist rape prosecutor, in consultation with John Dilworth, head of the CPS north-west complex casework unit, and in consultation with an external and highly experienced criminal QC.
"I have also been consulted on this case. The decision has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the CPS legal guidance on rape and sexual offences."
In all of the cases, for which Evans was arrested in May and June, the complainants were men who were in their 20s at the time of the alleged offences.
Evans was first elected to parliament in 1992, regaining Ribble Valley from the Liberal Democrats at the general election in that year.
Nigel Evans to be charged with sexual offences | Politics | The Guardian
The 55-year-old politician, who denies all of the allegations and pledged on Tuesday night to continue working as an MP from the backbenches, is accused of two counts of indecent assault, five counts of sexual assault and one rape count.
Evans, who represents the Ribble Valley constituency in Lancashire, answered 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, 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. 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."
Evans confirmed that he would be resigning from his deputy speaker role, having informed his fellow deputy speakers, Lindsay Hoyle and Dawn Primarolo, as well as his association chairman and staff.
He added: "I appreciate this case will create a great deal of media interest but after today I will not be making any further comment until the case concludes."
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. He 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.
"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.
"The decision in this case was taken by Joanne Cunliffe, an experienced specialist rape prosecutor, in consultation with John Dilworth, head of the CPS north-west complex casework unit, and in consultation with an external and highly experienced criminal QC.
"I have also been consulted on this case. The decision has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the CPS legal guidance on rape and sexual offences."
In all of the cases, for which Evans was arrested in May and June, the complainants were men who were in their 20s at the time of the alleged offences.
Evans was first elected to parliament in 1992, regaining Ribble Valley from the Liberal Democrats at the general election in that year.
Nigel Evans to be charged with sexual offences | Politics | The Guardian
