Police to interview former parliamentary intern who claims deputy speaker assaulted him in Commons bar 18 months ago

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Police investigating sexual assault allegations against Nigel Evans are planning to interview a fourth alleged victim who claims that he was intimately groped by the deputy speaker in a bar in the House of Commons.

The former parliamentary intern, 22, claims he was assaulted in the Sports and Social Club bar in December 2011 even though he had never spoken to the MP for Ribble Valley and was there with his parents. Detectives have contacted the alleged victim and asked for a formal statement.

The former intern said he had just finished a stint in the House of Commons and was in the bar with his parents – he was showing them around parliament and had stopped off for a drink – when the alleged incident occurred. Evans, it is claimed, stood with his back to the former intern and groped his bottom for around a minute.

A spokesman for Evans said on Friday: "Mr Evans is unaware of the complaint and vigorously denies any wrongdoing."'

Allies of Evans added that it was "beyond credibility" to suggest that the deputy speaker would fondle an intern in a bar in the presence of his parents.

This week police contacted the former intern, who now has a full-time job away from parliament, and asked for a statement.

Earlier this month Evans was arrested following allegations that he raped one man and sexually assaulted another between 2009 and 2013 – accusations he has branded "completely false".

A third person later gave a statement to Lancashire Constabulary claiming he too had been sexually assaulted.

After his arrest on 4 May Evans, 55, read a statement outside his Lancashire home vehemently denying the accusations against him after he was released on bail earlier this month.

The senior Tory spoke of his "incredulity" after being arrested over allegations by two men he had until then "regarded as friends".

Evans, who came out as gay in 2010, said he had just endured "the worst 24 hours of my life".

At the time of his arrest he said: "The allegations are completely false and I can't understand why they have been made, especially as I have continued to socialise with one [of the complainants] as recently as last week.

"I appreciate the way the police have handled this in such a sensitive manner, and I'd like to thank my colleagues, friends and members of the public who have expressed their support and – like me – a sense of incredulity at these events."

In the days after his arrest, Evans said he would step away from the Speaker's chair for a few days but would return to work the following week.

The Speaker's office released a statement saying that, while Evans will remain deputy speaker, he will not resume chairing duties while police investigations continue.

Evans has refused to comment on previous claims that at least one of the complainants was a House of Commons passholder.

A spokesman for Lancashire police said: "It remains an ongoing investigation and we won't be commenting further."