Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans used his "power and influence" to sexually assault men despite being warned about his behaviour, a court has heard.
Evans, who was very "well-known and powerful" within his own party was able to "make, or to break" the careers of young people aspiring to a political career, a jury was told.
The prosecutor said Evans used his position to abuse seven young men, even raping one of them last year, in the belief that his standing meant no one would complain about him.
Evans denies the charges Mark Heywood QC said: "Within the Palace of Westminster, in his constituency and in his own political party, Mr Evans was, during the decade with which you are concerned, a very well-known and powerful individual.
"Part of his influence included the ability to make, or to break, the careers of those young people who themselves would be politicians or work for those who govern.
"The prosecution case against Mr Evans is that he, often when in drink, pressed his sexual attentions on those younger men, using or trading on his position of influence."
The jury was told that the first offence happened at a bar in Soho in 2002 when Evans put his hand down his 27-year-old victim's trousers without "warning or invitation".
The second man was allegedly assaulted at a bar in Blackpool during the 2003 Conservative Party conference by a "plastered" Evans who tried to put his hand down the victim's trousers, the prosecution claimed.
Mr Evans, who was then shadow secretary of state for Wales, was moved away by a Conservative Party Board member but returned 10 minutes later and "did exactly the same thing again".
Another of the men, a 21-year-old, alleges that Mr Evans assaulted him in the Stranger's Bar at the House of Commons in 2009, attempting to kiss him behind a curtain, the court heard.
A fourth alleged sexual assault, in July 2009, is said to have taken place in Evans' house in Pendleton, Lancashire.
Speaker John Bercow will be called as a witness A man claimed he woke to find Evans sitting near him as he slept on a sofa in the sitting room of the home following a night out drinking in a local pub. He alleged Evans than reached inside his boxer shorts.
A fifth offence also allegedly took place in the Stranger's Bar in the House of Commons shortly after the 2010 General Election.
Evans is alleged to have touched a man's genitals through his clothing.
The sixth alleged sexual assault involved a young gay man who came forward to police after hearing of Evans' arrest.
He was drinking at bars in the Palace of Westminster in February 2011 when he and others were invited to go to Evans' office in the House of Commons.
Nine MPs and two former MPs have been named as prosecution witnesses in the trial of the former deputy speaker. Among them are House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and the former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik.
Also named were MPs Sarah Wollaston, Michael Fabricant, Alexander John Randall, Conor Burns and Tom Blenkinsopp, and the former MP Adam Pryce.
On the first day of the trial of the Conservative MP for Ribble Valley, the jury at Preston Crown Court was told by the judge to put political views out of their minds when considering the case.
The jurors were asked if they knew any of the MPs who were to be called as witnesses.
Evans, 56, faces nine charges dating between 2002 and 2013 against seven different men. There are two counts of indecent assault, six sexual assaults and one rape. He denies all the charges.
Judge Mr Justice King told the jury: "No doubt you will have worked out, I am sure, that this case involves a public figure. It involves a politician. It involves Members of Parliament.
"Don't be overawed by that. Be dispassionate throughout the case.
"Try Mr Evans only on the evidence. Put out of your mind any political views or prejudice you may have. Try this case only on the evidence."
:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.
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