The latest headlines in your inbox
Labour MP Keith Vaz is facing suspension from the Commons for six months after he was found to have “expressed willingness” to purchase cocaine for others.
It was also found that “on the balance of probabilities it is likely that Mr Vaz engaged in paid-for sex on more than one occasion”.
The complaint against Mr Vaz, who was chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, followed a Sunday Mirror article from 2016 claiming he had met two men in his London flat to engage in paid-for sex.
Recommending suspension, the Commons Standards Committee said the finding represented a “very serious breach” of the House code of conduct for MPs.
It said that by failing to co-operate fully with the Commons inquiry process, Mr Vaz had shown “disrespect for the House’s standards system” and caused “significant damage” to the reputation and integrity of the Commons as a whole.
A statement posted on Mr Vaz’s website said: “Keith Vaz has been treated for a serious mental-health condition for the last three years as a result of the events of 27th August 2016.
“He has shared all the medical reports in confidence with the Committee.
“He has nothing further to say on this matter other than what was said in his oral and written statements to the Committee and to the Commissioner.”
More follows…
