A DEPUTY SPEAKER of Britain’s lower house of parliament was released on bail last night following an arrest on suspicion of raping one man and sexually assaulting another.
Nigel Evens is expected to make a statement this morning.
The lawmaker in Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party, was questioned over alleged attacks on two men in their twenties.
Evans, 55, represents Ribble Valley in Lancashire, northwest England, and is one of the House of Commons’ three deputy speakers.
A spokeswoman for the force later said the suspect had been released on bail until June 19.
Police said the alleged attacks took place in the village of Pendleton, where Evans lives, between July 2009 and March 2013.
Cameron has reportedly been informed of the arrest.
Evans revealed he was gay in 2010, eight years after he was elected, saying he was “tired of living a lie”.
He is a popular figure at Westminster, well-liked by lawmakers across the political spectrum. His arrest stunned fellow Conservatives.
Additional reporting © AFP, 2013
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