AN MP vying to become Deputy Speaker of the Commons has claimed that all public figures are "vulnerable" to accusations over decades-old former relationships.
Tory Brian Binley suggested that "anybody with any profile in the world" could be affected.
The Northampton South MP's comments came as he vowed to stand aside if the former Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans is acquitted of charges including rape.
Mr Evans stood down from the role after he was charged earlier this year and is due to stand trial in March.
Mr Binley told a hustings event yesterday that he was standing "for Nigel Evans" and added: "Anybody with any profile in the world at all nowadays is vulnerable.
"We all are vulnerable to attack from 20 years ago."
He went on to joke: "I am fearful that a dear lady called Veronica Brown who I had a little, little relationship with behind the shelters at school might come out of the woodwork".
A number of high-profile personalities have been arrested in recent months as part of Operation Yewtree, the police investigation into historic abuse sparked by the Jimmy Savile case.
Other candidates in the deputy speaker race include Eleanor Laing, the Scottish born MP for Epping Forest.
She is up against former health minister Simon Burns, who famously described the Speaker John Bercow as a "stupid, sanctimonious dwarf".
Yesterday he insisted the fact that they were not "the greatest of personal friends" would not affect his ability to do the role.
Also looking for the job is Nadine Dorries, the former "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here" contestant who has appealed to MPs who hate her views, especially her campaign to drive down the legal time limit for abortion, to vote for her and "shut her up".
She appeared to do little to appeal to the assembled MPs, who were heavily outnumbered by journalists, saying that she did not think that they were the "most sophisticated electorate".
She has also pledged to step aside if Mr Evans is acquitted.
The Deputy Speaker is elected by MPs from all political parties but this contest is open only to a member of a Coalition party.
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