Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption John Pienaar looks back at Keith Vaz's political career

Labour MP Keith Vaz has stepped down as chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

It follows newspaper claims he paid for the services of two male sex workers.

He said: "It is in the best interest of the Home Affairs Select Committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever.

"I am genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain chair. "

At the weekend, the Sunday Mirror published pictures it said showed Mr Vaz with male sex workers in a flat in north London that he owns. Illegal drugs were mentioned during a secretly recorded conversation.

Another Labour MP will now be elected to replace him, with Conservative MP Tim Loughton taking over as interim chairman.

Speaking after Mr Vaz had informed committee colleagues of his intention to resign, Mr Loughton said a new chairman should be in place in October.

He said Mr Vaz had given a "very frank account of what had happened" and that the committee had accepted his resignation "with sadness".

Image caption Home Affairs Committee members held a press conference after Mr Vaz informed them of his resignation

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen has said he would refer the matter to the Commons Standards commissioner and may also report Mr Vaz to police.

Married father-of-two Mr Vaz said he was referring the paper's allegations to his solicitor.

Keith Vaz biography

Born in 1956 to Goan parents in Aden in what is now Yemen, he went to Cambridge University where he studied law and then became a solicitor

The Labour Party politician has been MP for Leicester East since 1987

He is Parliament's longest-serving British Asian MP and has chaired the influential Home Affairs Select Committee since 2007

He was Britain's Minister for Europe under Tony Blair and said the vote to leave the EU was a "catastrophe"

His sister Valerie is Labour MP for Walsall South

Keith Vaz - the 'Teflon politician'

In his statement announcing his resignation from the chairman role he has held for nine years, Mr Vaz said: "The integrity of the select committee system matters to me. Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable.

"I am immeasurably proud of the work the Committee has undertaken over the last nine years, and I am privileged to have been the longest serving Chair of this Committee.

"This work has included the publication of 120 reports, hearing evidence from Ministers 113 times, and hearing from a total of 1379 witnesses. I am very pleased that so many Members of the Committee have gone onto high office and Ministerial positions.

"This is my decision, and mine alone, and my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family."

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption A member of the home affairs committee says Keith Vaz's resignation was inevitable.

He added: "I would like to thank my fellow members of the Committee, past and present, for their tremendous support. I would also like to thank the Clerks of the House for the amazing work they have done to strengthen the Select Committee system, we are not quite on par with the United States, but we are getting there."

Labour MP Chuka Umunna, who sits on the Home Affairs committee, said Mr Vaz had done a "fine job" as chairman, but said he had made the right decision in stepping down.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mr Vaz's future on the party's ruling National Executive would be discussed when it meets.

He said: "He's made his decision because he felt that to carry on in the circumstances that he is now involved in would detract from the work of the Home Affairs committee and so he has made that decision for himself."</s>Keith Vaz finally quit as chair of a powerful Commons committee - but it was a resignation full of self-pity not remorse.

The married father-of-two was last night clinging to the remains of his high-profile political career as he refused to give up a string of other Westminster jobs.

Labour MP Mr Vaz finally admitted he could no longer lead the Home Affairs panel after bombshell Sunday Mirror revelations about his use of prostitutes .

He said: “Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable.”

But his resignation statement only said sorry for “recent events” - and failed to mention the behaviour which triggered his spectacular downfall, making no apology for the shame he has brought on his family, the committee and the House of Commons.

Mr Vaz, 59, could have tried to ride out the storm having survived previous sleaze allegations.

But committee members distanced themselves from the former Europe Minister after the Sunday Mirror revealed he paid two East European escorts for romps and offered to reimburse someone for cocaine, though he did not want to take the Class A drug himself.
• Keith Vaz tapes that prove he was NOT set up, NOT drugged and is NOT fit to chair vice review

The committee has held investigations into prostitution, immigration and Government drugs policy under Mr Vaz’s nine-year leadership.

But critics warned the scandal rocking Westminster created a conflict of interest which made it impossible for him to continue.

Standing down from his high-profile role, Mr Vaz moaned how he was “genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain chair”, whining: “It is in the best interest of the Home Affairs Select Committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever.”

He boasted about the number of reports pumped out during his tenure.

But there was no mention in the statement of how he met male prostitutes or discussed buying Class A drugs.

Nor was there any apology for his actions.

There are growing calls for Mr Vaz to quit his positions on other parliamentary committees.

He sits on the 22-strong Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, which scrutinises the National Security Council and National Security Adviser.

He is also on the 11-strong Commons Administration Committee, which looks at services provided by Westminster authorities for MPs and the public.

He is also a member of the Privy Council, which advises the Queen and is made up of 600 MPs and peers as well as bishops, judges and members of the Royal Family.

The last person to be expelled from the Privy Council was Labour MP Elliot Morley who was kicked out in 2011 after being jailed for fiddling his expenses.

Several former politicians have resigned from the Council in disgrace including former Tory Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, who was jailed for perjury, and former Tory Defence Secretary John Profumo.
• Brazen MP Keith Vaz greeted by silence in Commons as pressure mounts over prostitutes scandal

The Council meets about once a month in the presence of the Queen but not every member is invited. Usually the meetings are confined to a select group of serving ministers.

Urging Mr Vaz to give up all his roles, Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “The Security Committee is far more sensitive than the Home Affairs Committee.

“In the spirit of consistency, absolutely he should go from them all.”

Mr Bridgen also demanded Mr Vaz stand down as MP for Leicester East, saying he was “not fit to be an MP”.

Outgoing select committee chairmen are often handed knighthoods for their service.
• Sex shame politician Keith Vaz told quit now: 'He's not fit to be an MP, call in cops'

But Mr Bridgen warned that creating Sir Keith Vaz was “completely out of the question”, saying: “It would be hilarious if it wasn’t so serious.”

It is understood Mr Vaz hopes to carry on serving on Labour’s ruling national executive committee.

He has not been suspended from the party - despite facing up to three separate investigations from the police, Westminster sleaze busters and the Charity Commission.

Mr Vaz arrived at today's crunch Home Affairs Committee with an aide who was clutching a big bouquet of flowers.

His humiliation and looming resignation descended into farce when he first tried to enter the Grimond Room by the wrong door.

Moments later Commons officials evacuated Westminster’s Portcullis House after a small fire was discovered.

MPs, researchers and reporters were ordered to leave - forcing Mr Vaz to walk out alongside journalists camped outside the committee room.

The brazen backbencher beamed and joked with some reporters as they filed out.

But he told one TV newsman: “Why would I talk to you all on camera when you say such nice things about me?”

He declined to comment when approached by the Mirror.

But his temporary successor as Home Affairs Committee chairman, Tory Tim Loughton, revealed MPs listened in “sadness” as Mr Vaz confirmed he was standing down.

Mr Loughton said: “Keith Vaz was exceedingly frank and open with the committee, as he has always been in all his time that I have been on the committee – and I am the longest serving Conservative member.

“He was genuinely sad about what has happened.

“He apologised to the committee for the trouble this has caused and obviously acknowledges that, and these are private matters he will have to deal with.

“But absolutely what was paramount to him, characteristically, is the reputation and the work of the committee going forward.”

The acting chairman said the attention focused on Mr Vaz could jeopardise the integrity of the committee’s work if he tried to struggle on.
• Married MP Keith Vaz tells prostitutes in his flat: 'Bring poppers' ... 'We need to get this party started'

“Clearly that could be ongoing and that could undermine the very important work and very important studies that we need to carry out,” Mr Loughton said.

“And on that basis he has taken that decision and the committee agreed with him that that was the rightful selection for him to take with regret.”

The Conservative MP said: “I think he has done the right and honourable thing.

“It was the inevitable thing, I think, given the nature of the allegations and his role as chairman of the committee.”

Labour leadership challenger Owen Smith told the BBC: “I don’t think he could have continued in that role.

“I’m pleased he’s done what I think we all expected he would do and has stood down.”

Asked whether Prime Minister Theresa May backed his resignation, a spokeswoman said: “It is a decision for him.”

A new chairman is set to be elected next month, with Labour’s Chuka Umunna tipped to take over.

The former Shadow Business Secretary was staying tight-lippedtoday, claiming it was “premature to start declaring what one is going to do or not going to do”.

Mr Umunna added: “I don’t think now is the appropriate time to start talking about who is going to be the new chair of the select committee.”</s>Keith Vaz has stood down as chair of the home affairs select committee following three days of allegations involving sex workers and drugs.

The MP for Leicester East told committee members on Tuesday morning and consulted with the office of Jeremy Corbyn before announcing the decision.

It means that a new chair will be chosen within weeks. The position will be hotly contested.

In nine years in the post, Vaz has made the role one of the most high-profile and effective in parliament outside government.

But he said he had to leave it because of the effects of the intense publicity upon his wife and children.

In a sombre statement, Vaz said he was “genuinely sorry” that he could not continue in the role.

“It is in the best interest of the home affairs select committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever. I am genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain chair,” he said.

He conceded that as chair he was accountable for his actions.

“I have always been passionate about select committees,” he said, “having served as either chair or member for half of my time in parliament. The integrity of the select committee system matters to me. Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable.

“I told the committee today of my decision to stand aside immediately from committee business, and my intention to resign. This is my decision, and mine alone, and my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family. I have recommended that in the interim, Tim Loughton MP, the senior Conservative member, should chair proceedings.



“After speaking to the house authorities, I will formally tender my resignation to Mr Speaker so that it coincides with the timetable for the election of other committee chairs, such as the Brexit committee, culture, media and sport, and science and technology, so that the elections can take place together.”

Vaz faced a string of claims against him after a Sunday Mirror sting. The newspaper accused him of paying for male escorts, discussing the use of recreational drugs such as cocaine, and encouraging others to use poppers. 



On Monday, Theresa May increased the pressure on Vaz by calling for MPs to maintain the public’s confidence in them or consider their positions.

Speaking at the G20 summit in China, the prime minister said: “What has been clear throughout my political career, and what is important for people, is that they feel they are able to have confidence in their politicians, and that is what we have a duty to apply for those who elect us.

“What Keith does is for Keith and any decisions he wishes to make are for him. But overall, what people want is confidence in their politicians.”

The Sunday Mirror reported that Vaz had paid for the services of male sex workers and had asked one of them to bring along poppers, a sex-enhancing drug that the government nearly banned earlier this year.

Vaz has apologised to his family, but condemned the tactics of the newspaper reporters. 



On Monday, he appeared in the House of Commons chamber to take part in questions to the home secretary, Amber Rudd. He welcomed Rudd to her role and asked about terrorism suspects who had fled Britain while on police bail to join Islamic State. Vaz made no mention of the newspaper reports.

Vaz could face an investigation by the commissioner for standards over the newspaper claims. It was alleged that he met male eastern European sex workers at a flat he owns in north London. According to the paper, Vaz asked one of the men in a text message sent before the encounter to bring poppers.

Vaz had argued in parliament that poppers should not be included in a list of substances banned by the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act. In the Sunday Mirror, he is quoted as telling the escorts that he did not use poppers himself.

Vaz reportedly told the men that his name was Jim and he was a washing machine salesman. He was quoted discussing with the men the possibility of obtaining cocaine for the next time they met, although Vaz reportedly said he would not want to take the drug himself.

Following claims by Vaz’s friends that the MP may have been drugged during the sting, the Daily Mirror released new details on Monday night of the alleged encounter, which the paper claims was the second meeting between Vaz and the two sex workers. It included a transcript of him allegedly ordering them to take up sexual positions. The Mirror claims it is proof that he was in control of the situation.</s>British Labour MP Keith Vaz is to quit as head of one of the most influential House of Commons committees after he was embroiled in rent boy revelations.

Announcing his resignation, the Labour MP said: “Those who hold others to account must themselves be accountable.”

Mr Vaz’s departure as chairman of the home affairs committee comes days after reports emerged claiming that he paid two male escorts he met at a flat he owns near his family home in north London last month.

The 59-year-old Leicester East MP has said he has referred the allegations to his solicitor.

His chairmanship of the committee has come under intense scrutiny and in a statement on Tuesday Mr Vaz confirmed he would be standing down.

He said: “It is in the best interest of the Home Affairs Select Committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever. I am genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain Chair.

“I have always been passionate about select committees, having served as either chair or member for half of my time in Parliament. The integrity of the Select Committee system matters to me. Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable.”

He insisted he was “immeasurably proud” of the work the committee has carried out over the last nine years, adding that he is “privileged to have been the longest serving chair of this committee”.

Mr Vaz said the decision to resign and stand aside immediately from the committee’s business was “my decision, and mine alone” and “my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family”.

He has recommended that, in the interim, Conservative MP Tim Loughton should chair proceedings.

Mr Vaz thanked fellow committee members past and present “for their tremendous support”, as well as Commons and committee clerks.

Conservative Home Affairs Committee member David Burrowes told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: “I think he has done the right and honourable thing. It was the inevitable thing, I think, given the nature of the allegations and his role as chairman of the committee.

“It wasn’t a party political view ... It would have been a cross-party view that would have been given to Keith and he has taken the right view for the good of the committee.”

Mr Burrowes said Mr Vaz was “an excellent chair” but his position was “untenable”. His continued occupancy of the chair would have led the committee’s integrity “being called into question”, he said.

The committee’s inquiries into issues like prostitution or drugs “demand an objective view and one that isn’t likely to be conflicted and isn’t liable to be undermined or compromised”, said Mr Burrowes.

“What has been exposed through the papers meant he was fatally compromised to continue as chair.”

Mr Vaz said nothing to waiting reporters as he arrived for the meeting, which was being held behind closed doors in a Commons committee room.

The MP was accompanied by an aide carrying a large bouquet of flowers.

The meeting broke up after around 10 minutes as MPs went to take part in a Commons vote. A smiling Mr Vaz made no comment to the press as he left.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mr Vaz’s future on the party’s ruling National Executive would be discussed when it meets.

He said: “He’s made his decision because he felt that to carry on in the circumstances that he is now involved in would detract from the work of the Home Affairs Committee and so he has made that decision for himself.” – PA</s>Keith Vaz is expected to stand down as chair of a parliamentary select committee after the reporting of allegations involving sex workers and drugs. 



An informed source told the Guardian the Labour MP will tell the home affairs select committee that he will step down as chair at a meeting in parliament on Tuesday. 



Vaz has faced a string of claims against him after a Sunday Mirror sting accused him of paying for male prostitutes, discussing the use of recreational drugs, such as cocaine, and encouraging others to use poppers. 



It remains unclear, however, whether he will step down permanently or try to leave the door open for a possible return in the future. 



A source said: “He will let them know his decision late today. He needs to let the committee continue its work.” 



The committee is due to question the immigration minister, Robert Goodwill, from 3.30pm.

On Monday, Theresa May increased the pressure on Vaz by calling for MPs to maintain the public’s confidence in them or consider their positions.

Speaking at the G20 summit in China, the prime minister said: “What has been clear throughout my political career, and what is important for people, is that they feel they are able to have confidence in their politicians, and that is what we have a duty to apply for those who elect us.

“What Keith does is for Keith and any decisions he wishes to make are for him. But overall, what people want is confidence in their politicians.”

The Sunday Mirror reported that Vaz had paid for the services of male prostitutes and had asked one of them to bring along poppers, a sex-enhancing drug that the government nearly banned earlier this year.

Vaz has apologised to his family, but condemned the tactics of the newspaper reporters. 



On Monday, he appeared in the House of Commons chamber to take part in questions to the home secretary, Amber Rudd. He welcomed Rudd to her role and asked about terrorist suspects who had fled Britain while on police bail to join Islamic State. Vaz made no mention of the newspaper reports.

The MP for Leicester East could face an investigation by the commissioner for standards over the newspaper claims. It was alleged that he met male eastern European sex workers at a flat he owns in north London. According to the paper, Vaz asked one of the men in a text message sent before the encounter to bring poppers.

Vaz had argued in parliament that poppers should not be included in a list of substances banned by the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act. In the Sunday Mirror, he is quoted as telling the escorts that he did not use poppers himself.

Vaz reportedly told the men that his name was Jim and he was a washing machine salesman. He was quoted discussing with the men the possibility of obtaining cocaine for the next time they met, although Vaz reportedly said he would not want to take the drug himself.

Following claims by Vaz’s friends that the MP may have been drugged during the sting, the Daily Mirror released new details on Monday night of the alleged encounter, which the paper claims was the second meeting between Vaz and the two sex workers. It included a transcript of him allegedly ordering them to take up sexual positions. The Mirror claims it is proof that he was in control of the situation.</s>East Worthing and Shoreham’s MP has taken over a committee chairmanship vacated by scandal-hit Labour MP Keith Vaz.

Tim Loughton will serve as interim chair of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, until a permanent successor is chosen.

Mr Vaz resigned as chair today (Tuesday September 6) following allegations first printed in a Sunday newspaper.

Mr Loughton, who is currently the longest serving Conservative on the committee, said: “Keith Vaz came to the meeting of the select committee. He gave a very frank account of what had happened and he told us of his intention to resign as chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

“He has issued a statement and he is writing to the speaker of the House of Commons to signal his resignation and in due course an election will be held for a new Labour member to take over as chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

“In the interim the committee has nominated me to be the acting chair for the next few weeks until that election takes place.

“Now I think the committee listened in sadness to what Keith had to say with a good deal of respect.

“He has clearly acted in the best interests of the Home Affairs Select Committee and the important work that we do and with sadness we all accepted that was the appropriate course of action that he has taken and we also appreciate the many challenges facing him personally and his family.

“Notwithstanding the press stories all members of the Home Affairs Select Committee across all the parties paid very fulsome tributes to the work that Keith has done.

“It is remarkable that he’s been chairman of the select committee for nine years, the longest serving select committee chair.”

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Be part of it.</s>Doncaster MP Caroline Flint has announced she will be standing to replace Keith Vaz as Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, after the Leicester East MP was forced to step down from the role in the wake of a male escort sex scandal.

Ms Flint, who has represented the Don Valley constituency since 1997, announced her intention to stand for the role on Twitter last night.

She said: "19 yrs an MP, nearly half as a backbencher, served on 3 Select Cttes, former HO Minister - I am standing to be Chair of @CommonsHomeAffs."

Mr Vaz will be replaced in his role as Chair by another Labour MP through an election.

Every MP will get a vote in the election, which is expected to take place next month.

Keith Vaz stepped down as chairman on Tuesday, following newspaper claims the Labour MP paid for the services of two male sex workers.

At the weekend, the Sunday Mirror published pictures which it said showed Mr Vaz with male sex workers in a flat in north London that he owns.

Illegal drugs were also mentioned during a secretly recorded conversation.

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen has said he would refer the matter to the Commons Standards commissioner and may also report Mr Vaz to police.

Married father-of-two Mr Vaz said he was referring the paper's allegations to his solicitor.</s>BELEAGUERED MP Keith Vaz has quit as chairman of an influential House of Commons committee just days after becoming embroiled in a scandal involving male escorts.

He has given up his chairmanship of the Home Affairs Committee following the allegations.

The Mirror newspaper published new transcripts of a recording of the MP talking with the two escorts, which it said scotched suggestions that he was the victim of a “press sting”.

According to the paper, the tape showed Mr Vaz telling one of the men to treat the other as his “bitch” and discussing having sex.

READ MORE: Keith Vaz returns to work a day after male escort scandal

Following reports in the Sunday Mirror at the weekend that he had paid escorts and discussed the use of legal and illegal drugs, the Leicester East MP initially told reporters he planned to stand aside as chairman “with immediate effect”.

But he later said publicly that he wanted to discuss the situation with committee members before deciding how to proceed.

Prime Minister Theresa May stepped up pressure when she said that voters must be able to have confidence in their politicians.

Speaking during a visit to China, Mrs May said: “What Keith does is for Keith and any decisions he wishes to make are for him.”

But she added: “I have always been clear throughout my political career that what is important for people is that they feel that they are able to have confidence in their politicians. That is what I think we all have a duty to provide for those who elect us.”

Asked whether he expected Mr Vaz to step down, former Labour minister Ed Balls told ITV1’s Good Morning Britain: “I think he will. I think in the end, yes.”

Mr Vaz, who has publicly apologised to his wife and children for causing them “hurt and distress”, is facing a possible investigation by Commons’ sleaze watchdogs.

READ MORE: Vaz to quit influential committee role after male escort allegations

The Sunday Mirror claimed that money was paid into an account used by one of the escorts by a man linked to a charity set up by the MP, though there was no suggestion that the charity’s money was used.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn indicated there was no need for Mr Vaz to stand down from the party, stating: “Well, he hasn’t committed any crime that I know of. As far as I’m aware it is a private matter, and I will obviously be talking to Keith.”

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DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY</s>Keith Vaz is to quit as chairman of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee after he was embroiled in rent boy revelations.

Announcing his resignation, the Labour MP said: "Those who hold others to account must themselves be accountable."

Mr Vaz's statement had been circulated to media under an embargo until later on Tuesday but it was widely reported on social media.

Mr Vaz said: "It is in the best interest of the Home Affairs Select Committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever.

"I am genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain chair.

"I have always been passionate about select committees, having served as either chair or member for half of my time in Parliament. The integrity of the select committee system matters to me.

"Those who hold others to account must themselves be accountable."

He insisted he was "immeasurably proud" of the work the committee has undertaken over the last nine years, adding that he is "privileged to have been the longest serving chair of this committee".

Mr Vaz said: "This work has included the publication of 120 reports, hearing evidence from ministers 113 times, and hearing from a total of 1,379 witnesses."

He said the decision to resign and stand aside immediately from the committee's business was "my decision, and mine alone" and "my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family".

Mr Vaz has recommended that, in the interim, Conservative MP Tim Loughton should chair proceedings.

He said: "After speaking to the House authorities, I will formally tender my resignation to Mr Speaker so that it coincides with the timetable for the election of other committee chairs, such as the Brexit Committee, Culture, Media and Sport, and Science and Technology, so that the elections can take place together."

He thanked fellow committee members past and present "for their tremendous support", as well as Commons and committee clerks.

Conservative Home Affairs Committee member David Burrowes told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "I think he has done the right and honourable thing. It was the inevitable thing, I think, given the nature of the allegations and his role as chairman of the committee.

"It wasn't a party political view ... It would have been a cross-party view that would have been given to Keith and he has taken the right view for the good of the committee."

Mr Burrowes said Mr Vaz was "an excellent chair" but his position was "untenable". His continued occupancy of the chair would have led the committee's integrity "being called into question", he said.

The committee's inquiries into issues like prostitution or drugs "demand an objective view and one that isn't likely to be conflicted and isn't liable to be undermined or compromised", said Mr Burrowes. "What has been exposed through the papers meant he was fatally compromised to continue as chair."</s>Keith Vaz is a wily and slippery politician who has triumphantly navigated his way through a succession of scandals only to emerge with an even broader grin on his self-satisfied face.

Now the Sunday Mirror has made what appear to be cast-iron allegations that the married Labour magnifico paid two male escorts for sex, this master escapologist would seem to have his work cut out if he is to survive his latest embarrassment.

Nonetheless, the Houdini of modern politics is attempting to turn the tables by putting the paper in the dock, where most fair-minded people would say he should be standing.

After the Sunday Mirror’s revelations, Vaz pompously declared that ‘it was deeply troubling that a national newspaper should have paid individuals who have acted in this way’.

Note he failed to specify the exact nature of the newspaper’s supposedly heinous behaviour. He simply sought to smear it in general terms in the hope that public opinion will regard him as a casualty of tabloid dirty tricks, even though no evidence has been produced that there were any.

His approach may be working. On Sunday, BBC1’s News At Ten introduced the story in this manner: ‘One of Labour’s most high-profile MPs, Keith Vaz, has criticised a national newspaper after it publicised claims that he hired male escorts.’

How cock-a-hoop Vaz must have been. The BBC inverted the story by first shining the spotlight not on Vaz but on the Sunday Mirror, which had ‘publicised claims’. The implication was the newspaper had a case to answer for choosing to circulate unsubstantiated allegations.

There was surely a more honest way of presenting this story. The Sunday Mirror has produced extensive evidence that the Labour chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee paid two male Eastern European prostitutes for sex. And although Vaz has criticised the paper, he has not denied its story is true.

Over the coming days, I expect the sinuous MP to cultivate the notion that he is a hapless victim of Press intrusion into his private life. He hopes, following the phone-hacking scandal and the Leveson Inquiry into Press ethics, that public opinion will side with him against the supposedly rapacious tabloids.

A tragic picture of St Keith the martyr will be assiduously assembled by his supporters in the Commons and the media. We will be offered an image of a wronged man who was blamelessly pursing his private tastes with two consenting adults.

Before this orgy of self-righteousness gets much further, let me examine the allegations against Vaz in more detail, and explain why I believe the Sunday Mirror (a Labour-supporting title with no political animus against Vaz) was serving the public interest by exposing him.

I am taking on trust that throughout its investigations the Sunday Mirror acted entirely lawfully, and in accordance with the Press code of conduct.

At the very centre of this story is the issue of whether the Press has any business to write about the aberrational sexual behaviour of public figures. Jeremy Corbyn has already produced the usual argument that what such people get up to in private should be their own affair so long as it is legal.

But is this really true? Imagine that Keith Vaz, or any other politician for that matter, used male prostitutes all the time. Even Jeremy Corbyn might concede that in such a case it was permissible to run a story. In other words, the legality of an act need be no defence against publication. It is a matter of judgment where you draw the line.

In my opinion, the Sunday Mirror had every right to put Vaz’s alleged payment to two male escorts (and the suggestion he had used others) into the public domain. It is obviously significant that the MP is married, and a professed heterosexual. It’s also undeniable that paying young men for sex is a form of exploitation.

The newspaper correctly judged that even in an age of ever increasing sexual licence, most people will be shocked by Mr Vaz’s reported conduct. If he did not know that it would be widely considered reprehensible, he would not have bothered to conceal it.

Of course, politicians have a right to a private life, but they are not quite in the position of almost everyone else by virtue of the enormous power they can wield. If their private behaviour diverges in a dysfunctional way from their carefully contrived public personae, I want to be told.

Moreover, there are special considerations in this instance which further vindicate the Sunday Mirror’s story. Vaz was recorded asking the East Europeans to bring ‘poppers’ — sex-enhancing drugs — to a liaison, and admitted to having taken some himself.

Vaz has argued in the Commons against banning these drugs, and they were later removed from a list of substances outlawed by a new Bill. Had he used poppers when he spoke in their partial defence, and, if so, shouldn’t he have said so?

His Commons committee is carrying out an inquiry into prostitution, focusing on whether ‘the balance in the burden of criminality should shift to those who pay for sex rather than sell it’. I suppose Vaz’s bizarre experiences might afford him special insights, but until now they have remained undisclosed, and he can hardly have been an even-handed chairman.

Vaz in the past has also deplored the use of cocaine. And yet, according to the Sunday Mirror, he offered to buy some for one East European prostitute, though he said he did not want any of the drug himself. Isn’t this a disturbing contradiction?

For my money, the Sunday Mirror would have been justified in running its story even without these additional damning details since he is a powerful man who, by the by, holds others to account in the most overbearing way in his Commons committee.

As it is, I can’t see any decent argument against publication — as long, I repeat, as the Sunday Mirror behaved lawfully — and Mr Vaz’s slurs against the paper, and his attempt to paint himself as a victim, are breathtaking.

Yesterday afternoon, the MP attempted to brazen it out, asking a question in the Commons in his most lordly manner about Britons going off to fight for Syria as though nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, his lawyers have sent a letter to Tory MP, Andrew Bridgen — one of Vaz’s most outspoken critics over the past couple of days, and previously — accusing him of spreading ‘false and highly defamatory scuttlebutt’ about him. They had the gall to threaten to sue him ‘if this shabby behaviour continues’.

Shabby behaviour! I can think of one MP who is guilty of that — and worse. Vaz really is shameless. He has blustered and evaded his way through previous scandals, and faced with accusations of sexual misconduct he now resorts to well-tried techniques.

It’s time he was finally dealt with. He won’t voluntarily fall on his sword. If the members of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee wish to retain public respect, they must give this sleazy old rogue the heave-ho. The electors of Leicester East can then decide what to do with him.

Keith Vaz is neither a victim nor a martyr. He, and he alone, is responsible for what he did. I’m glad there are still newspapers brave enough to stand up to such a man.
British MP Keith Vaz quits the Home Affairs Select Committee following allegations that he had engaged in sexual activity with male prostitutes.