British Member of Parliament Nigel Evans announced on Wednesday that he will step down from his position as Commons Deputy Speaker, amid charges of sexual assault, indecent assault and rape.
Evans has been accused of eight offenses, the BBC reported on Wednesday. Between 2002 and 2013, the 55-year-old politician allegedly assaulted seven men sexually.
The former Member of Parliament maintained that he is not guilty of the crimes, and that he will still back his fellow MPs from the spectator's section.
In his official statement of resignation, Evans started by denying that he violated the law.
"May I reassure everyone at this time that I will robustly defend my innocence," he said. "I have today answered bail following complaints I have said were incredulous. Whilst I am saddened that this case has not been closed today, I am certain of two things: firstly, that I am innocent, and secondly that my innocence will be demonstrated.
"Having informed my fellow deputy Speakers Lindsay Hoyle and Dawn Primarolo, my association chairman and staff, I can confirm I will now resign as deputy speaker. However, I will continue to work hard for the people of Ribble Valley from the backbenches where I first started my political career in 1992.
"I appreciate that this case will create a great deal of media interest, but after today, I will not be making any further comment until after the case concludes."
Evans served Parliament as a conservative member before he took the position of deputy speaker.
Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales Keir Starmer said the decision to arrest Evans was not made hastily.
"We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to prosecute," Starmer said.
Evans, who hails from Pendleton in Lancashire, allegedly committed two indecent assaults between January 1, 2002 and January 1, 2004. Five other sexual assaults reportedly occurred between January 1, 2009 and April 1, 2013, while his charge of rape allegedly happened between March 29 and April 1, 2013.
