Speaker John Bercow to give evidence at rape trial of former deputy speaker Nigel Evans

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The Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, is to be a prosecution witness during the trial of former Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans.

The Mail reports that Mr Bercow is among at least ten MPs who will be called to give evidence for the Crown when Mr Evans stands trial next month.

Others on the list include Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston.

Mr Evans, the MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, is accused of two counts of indecent assault, six of sexual assault, and one of rape.

He denies the charges, against seven men, which date from 1 April 2002 to last year.

The 56-year-old entered formal not guilty pleas to all charges during a pretrial hearing at Preston Crown Court last month.

Mr Evans resigned as Commons deputy speaker after he was charged on 10 September 2013.

As deputy speaker, he sat as an independent MP but he decided not to retake the Conservative whip, after standing down as deputy speaker. Mr Evans remains an independent MP for his constituency.

Mr Evans came out as gay in 2010.

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