British MP Nigel Evans arrested over UK rape allegation
Charles Miranda, London
May 05, 201310:34AM
UK Deputy Commons Speaker Nigel Evans, pictured here in 2011, was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault at his home in Pendleton, Lancashire on May 4, 2013. Source: Getty Images
A TOP Conservative MP has been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault, UK sources say.
The 55-year-old openly gay MP was arrested at his home in the village of Pendleton in Lancashire, north-west England with the alleged offences occurring between July 2009 and March 2013.
The latest scandal comes after a series of unrelated alleged rapes and sexual assaults by high profile celebrities that has rocked the UK and dominated headlines now for weeks, notably including three actors from soaps Coronation Street and another from East Enders.
Prime Minister David Cameron and the Speaker John Bercow have been advised of the latest allegations made against the Westminster MP Mr Evans who has represented his constituents since 1992.
Police were today searching his property including his cottage home and car. The arrest has shocked Whitehall as it has Mr Evans' neighbours in the otherwise quiet Ribble Valley village of Pendleton which had reported police cars coming and going all day.
Lancashire police said the offences were alleged to have been committed in Pendleton between July 2009 and March 2013.
"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," a spokesman said.
"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."
The popular MP, on an annual salary of $A154,000 a year, declared his homosexuality in 2010 declaring he was "tired of living a lie" and that his sexuality was about to be exposed by his political opponents. He has held a number of senior portfolio positions since the days of John Major's leadership.
Michael Ranson, the chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association, said people in the constituency were "completely shell-shocked" at the news.
"He is a very popular MP and a very good constituency MP. He's given assistance to a lot of his constituents over many years," he said. "Everybody's completely shell-shocked."
The latest arrest has made front page news, as have a number of other high profile arrests and charges of actors as well as the 11 men arrested from Operation Yewtree - which began late last year in the wake of the allegations of more than 500 sexual assaults by iconic entertainer Jimmy Savile - including entertainer Rolf Harris and former pop star Gary Glitter.
