MP Nigel Evans reselected to stand in General Election

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has pledged his support to victims of injustice, after he was re-selected to to stand as the Conservative Party candidate in next year's general election.

Mr Evans was chosen after a secret ballot during a meeting in Clitheroe, with members of the local Conservative Association on Monday night.

Mr Evans was cleared of a string of sexual offences in April. Granada Reports spoke to him and began by asking why the law needs to be changed

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who was cleared of a string of sexual offences, has pledged to campaign for the victims of injustice after winning the backing of local party members to defend his seat at the general election.

Mr Evans was reselected last night in a secret ballot of Conservative members in Ribble Valley as their candidate for the election next year.

Speaking on BBC1's Breakfast programme, he said he would draw on his experience to campaign for a change in the law to prevent suspects in criminal cases being named publicly until they are charged.

"I found an inner strength through going through this ordeal. It can either destroy you or make you stronger. In this case it made me stronger," he said.

"I think people saw that, that I was more determined to carry on being a Member of Parliament so I can speak out about some of the injustices that occur."

Mr Evans stood down as Commons deputy speaker while he contested the allegations against him in court.

The MP, who sat as an independent during the proceeding against him, had the Conservative whip restored shortly after his acquittal earlier this year.

Nigel Evans will be the Conservative Candidate for Ribble Valley in the next general election. Local party members met in Clitheroe this evening to discuss if Mr Evans should stay on. He was reselected. Mr Evans was cleared of a number of sex charges in April.