British MP Nigel Evans arrested over gay rape allegations

PENDLETON, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) -- Police in northwest England on Saturday arrested a senior member of the governing Conservative party after two men accused him of rape and sexual assault, police and sources said. He was later released on bail as an investigation continues.

Nigel Evans, 55, who is a member of parliament and a deputy speaker of the House of Commons, was arrested on Saturday morning at his home in Pendleton, a small village in Lancashire. He was taken to a police station and questioned until late in the evening about the allegations.

In a brief statement, Lancashire Constabulary confirmed a 55-year-old man from Pendleton had been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. "The offences are alleged to have been committed in Pendleton between July 2009 and March 2013," the statement said, giving no other details.

Sources said Evans, who came out as gay in December 2010, had been accused of rape and sexual assault by two men who are now in their 20s. British Prime Minister David Cameron and Commons Speaker John Bercow, in addition to other parliamentary authorities, were informed about the arrest but made no public comment.

Evans was released on bail and told to return on June 19, but it was not immediately clear if he had been charged. WireUpdate