Ribble Valley Conservative MP Nigel Evans has declared that he is gay and stated that  he hoped his decision  will help others be open in their sexual orientation.

Mr Evans, elected deputy  speaker in the House of Commons, declared his homosexuality on the eve of the launch of a new help group for politicians and Westminster staff.

Mr. Evans commented 'Why is it that Nigel Evans leads a life whereby he is gay to some people and not others?',''

"I could not afford it to be used as leverage against me. I don't want any other MP to face that kind of threat  again."  

"I am sure there are other gay MPs who would like to be open about their sexuality but are fearful of the consequences. I hope this new group will help them to do so."

Mr Evans, who becomes the 22nd openly gay MP in the Commons, is a vice-president of the ParliOut initiative which will be launched today  by Commons Speaker John Bercow.

The first support group for gay politicians, their staff and other parliamentary workers, it was set up with the help of gay rights charity Stonewall.

Ken Hind senior vice chairman of Ribble Valley Conservatives and former MP , commented ' Nigel's sexual orientation was an open secret to many in Parliament, to officers and members of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association .It has never prevented him in any way from properly carrying out his duties as our constituency MP and acting in a determined  dedicated way in the interests of the people of the Ribble Valley. Nigel will continue to carry out his duties and we will continue to  support him as our MP . We wholly understand at this time that as deputy speaker of our Parliament he must not be open to any kind of pressure. The decision to speak out at this time  is an essentially personal decision which we fully understand and endorse. ''