Deputy speaker Nigel Evans cost public £416,800 since 2010, including £8,000 in expenses

Conservative MP Nigel Evans, who today quit as deputy speaker of the Commons following eight charges of sexual assault, has cost the British taxpayer £416,856.22 since he assumed the post of deputy speaker in 2010.

A freedom of information request by LondonlovesBusiness.com has revealed that Evans has claimed £7,806.22 in expenses since June 2010. The expenses were largely for trips representing Commons speaker John Bercow at international conferences and making use of government car services.

Since 2010, Evans has earned £145,440 for his role as Deputy Speaker on top of a total £263,610 for being MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire.

Evans quit his post as deputy speaker after being accused of eight offences, including sexual assault, indecent assault and rape, against seven men between 2002 and 2013.

In a statement to reporters after being charged, he said: “May I reassure everyone at this time that I will robustly defend my innocence.

“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.”