RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has welcomed the winners of Mr Gay Europe, Mr Gay England and Mx Drag England to Westminster.

The House of Commons deputy speaker said was delighted to meet with representatives from the Mr Gay company to the Houses of Parliament.

Its competitions celebrate the pride, diversity, and rights of the LGBTQ community.

As well as providing a voice to stand up for LGBTQ rights, the Mr Gay company also raise money for numerous charities.

The Mr Gay company are this year continuing with this raising money for charities and platforms such as Pride Radio, a community radio station which broadcasts to 150 countries across the world, some where it is illegal to be LGBTQ.

Mr Evans said: “I was delighted to meet with winners and representatives from the Mr Gay company, hearing about the work they are doing to promote LGBTQ rights across the UK and the world.

“LGBTQ rights have come such a long way here in the UK and in many countries across the globe, but there is much to still be done to achieve global equality and I welcome the efforts of representatives of the Mr Gay company on this.

“It was an honour to have been elected the first openly gay deputy speaker of the House of Commons back in 2020.

“This is certainly proof of just how far we have come.

“However the work of organisations such as this is so important, not only helping to support the LGBTQ community here in the UK, but across the world in the continued struggle for acceptance and equal rights.”