In the wake of a recent sex scandal revealed by the Sunday Mirror, involving Leciester MP Keith Vaz and three eastern European male escorts, Vaz, 59, has stepped down from Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee.
In his statement, the longest running British Asian MP says:
“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 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.”
He adds that he’s to formally tender his resignation and gives thanks to the members of the committee.
The Sunday Mirror broke a story earlier this week, revealing bank statements from an Eastern European male prostitute showing payments of £150 from a man linked to the Silver Star charity. This further worsened the sex scandal, suggesting Vaz paid for their services using labour charity money.
Previously, Vaz made little comment as whether he would step down or not. It was suggested that if he did not do so, then Tory members of the very same committee would hold a ‘vote of no confidence’ for him.
