MP Nigel Evans: Accuser Is 'Machiavellian' Liar

Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans has described a man who he is accused of sexually assaulting as a "Machiavellian" liar.

The MP told police that the man was "flirtatious, moody, Tory, Labour, gay, straight...a real mess."

Evans, independent MP for Ribble Valley, is accused of putting his hand inside the alleged victim's boxer shorts while the man slept on a sofa at his constituency home in Pendleton, Lancashire.

In an interview with police after being arrested last year, the politician was asked why the man would lie about such a thing.

Evans replied: "Because that's what he does. He wants to be the centre of attention, the centre of attraction."

Transcripts of the police interview were read out to the jury in Evans' trial at Preston Crown Court.

During police questioning, the MP was asked about a call made by the alleged victim to his girlfriend following the incident.

The police officer suggested that the man had been "fiery, upset, hyped-up, angry".

Evans responded: "He lied, she lied."

The MP said that another man, who he is accused of raping, had been a "willing participant" who had later regretted what had happened.

Asked why he thought alleged victims might be making up their stories he said that one of them would have been prepared to affect his ambition to become speaker of the House of Commons.

He said that the man knew Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle - a fellow deputy speaker.

Evans went on to say that he also knew Mr Hoyle and did not think for one minute that he would put the man up to it.

Later one of Evans' alleged victims was recalled to the witness box.

He was asked if he could remember conversations in which he'd made light of the alleged sexual assault upon him.

He told the court: "It was one of those situations you either laughed or cried about."

Defence barrister Peter Wright QC asked: "If then your circle of friends made the suggestion that you may have been leading Nigel on you make a sort of response "Ooops" or "naughty me". (Did you) make light of it in that way."

The alleged victim replied: "Certainly not."

Evans denies one charge of rape, six of sexual assault and two of indecent assault.

The charges relate to a total of seven alleged victims. The trial continues.