Nigel Evans trial: nine MPs may appear as witnesses

The former deputy speaker Nigel Evans faces nine counts of assault  against seven different complainants: two counts of indecent assault from periods between 2002 and 2004; six counts of sexual assault from  periods between 2009 and 2013; and one charge of rape, dating from 2013.

The jury, sworn in this morning, were given a list of people who may be appearing as possible witnesses for the prosecution.  This list includes nine current MPs, as follows:

Sarah Wollaston
John Bercow
Michael Fabricant
Patrick McLoughlin
Sir John Randall
Mark Hoban
Conor Burns
Andrew Percy and
Tom Blenkinsop

John Bercow is the speaker of the Commons, of course, and McLoughlin is transport secretary, having previously been chief whip.  Randall and Fabricant are also former Conservative whips.

There were also two former MPs on the prosecution list – Adam Price and Lembit Opik.

The court is due to hear the prosecution’s opening address this afternoon.

Mr Evans was elected Conservative MP for Ribble Valley in 1992, and later served in the shadow cabinet.  He  stood down as deputy speaker last year, and now sits as an independent MP.

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