Nigel Evans MP, cleared of all sexual offence chargesFormer Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans burst into tears today as he was cleared of committing nine sexual offences against seven young men.
A jury at Preston Crown Court unanimously found Evans, 56, not guilty of one count of rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted sexual assault and two indecent assaults.
He had stood in the dock, hands clasped in front of him, listening to each not guilty verdict.
By the time he was cleared of the eighth count he could contain his emotions no longer, his face crumpled and he began to weep, wiping away his tears with a white tissue.
As he was cleared of the ninth and final count his supporters in the gallery let out a gasp of relief and burst into tears.
Mr Justice King told Evans he could leave the dock and the defendant bowed to the jury - which had deliberated for just over five hours and 45 minutes - and said: "Thank you."
HeraldScotland
