Deputy House of Commons speaker Nigel Evans has been arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault, sources say.

The 55-year-old Conservative MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire is being questioned about alleged attacks on two men in their 20s.

In a statement, Lancashire police said: "A 55-year-old man from Pendleton in Lancashire has today, Saturday, 4 May 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.

"The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day. The offences are alleged to have been committed in Pendleton between July 2009 and March 2013."

The alleged victims are understood to be men in their 20s.

The statement added: "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."