Senior UK politician arrested on suspicion of indecent assault

LONDON, (Reuters) – A deputy speaker of parliament was arrested on three counts of indecent assault yesterday, six weeks after he was first detained on suspicion of rape and sexual assault, police said.

Nigel Evans, 55, was arrested when he went to a police station to answer bail following his initial detention in May.

Arriving at the police station in Lancashire, the Conservative Evans told reporters he would make a statement later. After his arrest in May, Evans said the allegations were “completely false” and had been made by people he had regarded as friends.

One of parliament’s three deputy speakers since 2010, Evans’ role includes keeping order during often fractious debates, calling MPs to speak and enforcing the rules of the lower house of parliament.

He has been the MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire since 1992.