Nigel Evans, one of Britain’s best-known gay Members of Parliament and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, has been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault of two men.

Sky News broke the story with their crime correspondent Martin Brunt saying: ‘He is being questioned over two allegations, one of rape and another of sexual assault against two men, two men who I understand are in their late 20s.’

The offences apparently occurred some time between July 2009 and March 2013.

Evans came out as gay in December 2010 and has since been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights.

He has represented the constituency of Ribble Valley in north-west England since 1992 as a Conservative Member of Parliament.

As First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, Evans, 55, is one of the deputies for the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.

Bercow and Conservative leader, Prime Minister David Cameron, have both been informed of the arrest.

Evans is still in custody being questioned by police.