Nigel Evans told police a ex Westminster worker who accused him of sexual assault was "Machiavellian" and at the "centre of the web" of a plot against him, his trial heard. He denies all charges against him.
Patrick McLoughlin, who was Conservative Party chief whip at the time a young man made allegations about Nigel Evans, and said it was a "really big ask" for the MP to stand down over an alleged "inappropriate sexual approach", a court heard.
However Mr McLoughlin, who is now the Transport Secretary, said he understood the matter to be a "misunderstanding" not sexual assault when told about the incident in July 2009.
A young Westminster worker alleges he went to sleep on the settee at Evans' home and awoke to find the MP groping him, Preston Crown Court heard.
Evans denies the charges against him.
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.