Granada Nigel Evans

• Nigel Evans (C) 25,404 (48.63%, -1.67%)
• David Hinder (Lab) 11,798 (22.58%, +0.53%)
• Shirley Parkinson (UKIP) 8,250 (15.79%, +9.11%)
• Jackie Pearcey (LD) 2,756 (5.28%, -15.25%)
• Graham Sowter (Green) 2,193 (4.20%)
• David Brass (Ind) 1,498 (2.87%)
• Grace Astley (Ind) 288 (0.55%)
• Tony Johnson (IPAP) 56 (0.11%)
• C maj 13,606 (26.04%)
• 1.10% swing C to Lab
• Electorate 77,873; Turnout 52,243 (67.09%, +0.11%)

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.

Lancashire MP Nigel Evans, who has been cleared of nine sexual offences, has told ITV News that the support of his constituents helped him get through his '11 months of hell'

Mr Evans likened the trial to being hit by a truck every day, but said the faith of people in the Ribble Valley had kept him 'solid'.

Tory MP Nigel Evans is entitled to reclaim part of his legal costs from successfully defending himself against charges of rape and sexual assault, the Ministry of Justice has said.

A spokesman said:

"Anyone who has applied for legal aid and is subsequently acquitted of a crime is entitled to be repaid at least part of their legal costs - irrespective of whether their application was accepted."

Read: MP Nigel Evans considered suicide 'in darkest moments'

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has called for a rethink of the law relating to rape cases, telling ITV News it is not right for those making allegations to remain anonymous while defendants' names are publicised.

Conservative MP Nigel Evans has told ITV News the "trauma" of his trial for sexual assault made him realise the "first-hand consequences" of cutting legal aid.

He admitted he "might well" have voted for the cuts, but now understood the problems they could create for people.

The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons said cutting legal aid can leave people "doubly punished" if they have to defend themselves and then foot huge legal bills, even if they are acquitted.

Read: MP Nigel Evans considered suicide 'in darkest moments'

The former deputy speaker, Nigel Evans, who represents Ribble Valley, has told ITV News about the moment he was cleared of sexual offence charges.

He said: "When I stood in the dock listening to the foreman come out with the verdicts I could actually feel my heart beat without touching it."

Read more: Nigel Evans wants CPS to pay legal bills