From the Speaker's chair to the witness box

From the Speaker's Chair to the witness box, here are the milestones in Nigel Evans's career and his battle to clear his name:

:: April 1992 - Evans elected as an MP at the fourth attempt, representing Ribble Valley, Lancs.

:: 1997 - He is appointed opposition frontbench spokesman for Welsh affairs.

:: 2001 - Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith makes him shadow secretary of state for Wales.

:: 2003 - Evans resigns from the shadow cabinet following a re-shuffle by new Tory leader Michael Howard.

:: June 2010 - He is elected as one of the three Commons deputy speakers.

:: December 2010 - Evans reveals he is gay for the first time.

:: May 4 2013 - Evans arrested by police at his home in Lancashire. He is questioned and bailed.

:: June 19 2013 - The MP is re-arrested over fresh allegations and re-bailed.

:: September 10 2013 - Evans is arrested for the third time, questioned about two more alleged sexual assaults and charged with nine offences.

:: September 11 2013 - The MP makes a personal statement to the House of Commons, resigning his position as deputy speaker and vowing to "robustly" defend his innocence.

:: March 10 2014 - Evans goes on trial at Preston Crown Court after pleading not guilty to all nine charges.

:: April 10: Evans is unanimously found not guilty of all charges following five hours and 45 minutes of deliberation.