by Rachel Ogbu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Nigel Evans is currently on bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape.

Evans, 55 who is also a Conservative MP was accused of sexually abusing two men in their twenties  between July 2009 and March 2013. he was charged with rape and sexual assault on two different occasions.

According to reports, the Lancashire Police said: “A 55 year old man from Pendleton in Lancashire, arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault has today been released on police bail until 19th June 2013.” It added the man was being questioned at a police station in the county.”

There have been a few more reactions since the news broke especially from his constituent, Ribble Valley in Lancashire .

The chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association, Michael Ranson 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 told Sky News. “Everybody’s completely shell-shocked.”

Conservative MP for Northampton South and a friend of Evans, Brian Binley told reporters that he was just deeply disturbed and shocked. “I’ve known him ever since I’ve been in Parliament and I came in in 2005. I consider him to be a very good friend. I know him to be caring, compassionate and in no way would he inflict himself violently on any other person.”

The police have also spoken to the press about the allegations made against Evans, who came out as gay in a 2010 and Prime Minister, David Cameron has also been informed. A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said: “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. 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.”