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Shockwaves reverberated around Westminster yesterday as news of senior Tory Nigel Evans' arrest emerged.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons was held on suspicion of raping one man and sexually assaulting another between July 2009 and March this year. Both are in their 20s.

A Whitehall source said PM David Cameron and Mr Evans’ boss, Speaker John Bercow, had both been informed.

Detectives swooped on the MP’s ­cottage in the Lancashire village of Pendleton yesterday morning.

Forensic teams searched the property, where the alleged attacks are said to have been committed. ­Officers specialising in sex offences quizzed the former Tory Party vice-chairman at Preston police station.

He was freed last night after about 12 hours and was driven away through the police station’s rear entrance.

(Image: John Gladwin / Sunday Mirror)

A Lancashire police spokesman said: “A 55-year-old man from Pendleton in Lancashire, arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault has today, May 4, 2013, been released on police bail until June 19, 2013.”

The Whitehall source said of Mr Evans’ arrest: “It’s been a total shock. Nigel is a popular and well-liked character.

No one can quite believe what has happened.”

It was unclear last night whether the police inquiry also involved a search of Mr Evans’ offices at the House of Commons or his other home in East London.

The two alleged victims are believed to have made the allegations and given statements this week.

Mr Evans has been MP for the safe Tory seat of Ribble Valley for 21 years.

The Welshman, who as one of Speaker Bercow’s deputies earns £102,000 a year including his MP’s salary, decided to reveal that he was gay in December 2010.

He said in an interview at the time that he was “tired of living a lie”.

Michael Ranson, chairman of Ribble Valley Conservative Association, said people in Mr Evans’ constituency were “completely shell-shocked” by news of his arrest.

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, Shropshire, said: “Nigel Evans is a very popular MP and has established himself as a first-rate Deputy Speaker.

“These are shocking allegations – but they are allegations are not proven. Time will tell if they stand up to proper legal scrutiny.”

He added: “He is a very popular MP and a very good constituency MP. He’s given assistance to a lot of his constituents over many years.”

A friend of the MP, Tory councillor Robert Rams of Barnet, North London, said: “I hope and pray the allegations are not true. He is a friend and a really lovely guy.”

(Image: Sunday Mirror)

Ribble Valley Borough Conservative councillor Ged Mirfin said: “I’m shocked to hear that my MP Nigel Evans has been arrested on suspicion of rape.”

Friend Brian Binley, Tory MP for Northampton South, added: “He came up last Friday for a fundraiser – I consider him a very good friend.”

Neighbours of Mr Evans in Pendleton were also stunned by the arrest. Blinds at his stone cottage were lowered in all the windows and no one appeared to be at home. Forensic officers were seen removing items.

One neighbour said: “It’s shocking. I’ve known him for 12 years, ever since I moved here.

“He’s always been such a nice neighbour. The thought of him ­being arrested for rape is truly shocking. He’s always seemed so pleasant.”

(Image: PA)

Another neighbour said: “I’m stunned. I don’t know him well but I know he’s Deputy Speaker. I say ­‘hello’ and wave whenever I see him. I can’t believe it.”

Announcing that an arrest had been made, Lancashire Police said earlier: “The offences are ­alleged to have been committed in Pendleton between July 2009 and March 2013.

“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.”