Nigel Evans’ alleged victim: ‘I regret cowardice’

Giving his third day of evidence, the complainant denied he and the MP had consensual sex and he had “regretted it ever since”.

He told the jury what he did regret was “my cowardice” at allowing himself to get into the situation where he ended up in bed with Evans.

The incident is said to have taken place after the complainant attended a dinner party last year at Evans’s home in his Ribble Valley constituency, where he had agreed to stay overnight in a spare room.

Preston Crown Court has heard that the man, in his early 20s, said he had not invited or wanted any sexual contact but got under the covers with Evans after he was “escorted” to the 56-year-old’s bedroom.

The MP’s account of events was that the pair kissed downstairs and that the young man willingly went to bed with him and they had consensual sex.

Mr Wright asked: “Is it simply that on reflection you wish none of this had ever happened?” The alleged victim replied: “Yes, I do wish none of this happened.”

Mr Wright added: “And you have recollected events to this jury that is inconsistent with what actually took place.”

“No,” said the complainant.

The barrister went on: “And that in fact there was consensual activity between you that night and in the cold light of day you regretted it and you have regretted it ever since.”

The alleged victim replied no.

Mr Wright said: “And what you sought to do is to rationalise your conduct in a way that is consistent with the account you have given to save your conscience about it.” The man responded: “That’s so far-fetched.”

Earlier, Mr Wright put it to him that he had woken up in Evans’s bed and felt regret at what had he had consented to.

The complainant said: “I regret my cowardice. I did feel angry, I did not feel responsible for Nigel’s behaviour.”

The alleged victim is one of seven young men that Evans is alleged to have sexually assaulted on various dates between 2002 and last year.

Evans denies one rape, two indecent assaults and six sexual assaults.

(Proceeding)