Britain’s Longest serving Indian-Origin Lawmaker Keith Vaz Steps Down over Sex Scandal

Sept 4, 2016: It comes as a shock to many, when one goes through the footage that shows MP Keith Vaz speaking to the men (believed to be Poles) and he reportedly boasted about having unprotected sex.

Labour MP from Leicester since 1987, Keith Vaz, who is a married father of two was keen to keep his real identity a secret. When he allegedly met two male prostitutes, he claimed that he was a washing machine salesman called Jim, mentioned the PTI report.

Mr Vaz's meeting with two male escorts included a discussion about using the party drug known as "Poppers". The 59-year-old Goan-origin MP apologised to his wife, children and friends for his act.

"I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions, in particular to my wife and children. I will be informing the Committee on Tuesday of my intention to stand aside from chairing the sessions of the Committee with immediate effect," he said in a statement reported by 'Sky News'.

He will be stepping aside from the chair of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, which he has headed for the past 10 years. He, speaking to his lawyer and other members of the committee explains that he has not resigned completely, but temporarily.

The committee is currently examining prostitution in the UK and had issued a report recently saying that soliciting by sex workers to be decriminalised, mentioned PTI report.

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He later issued another statement, which added: "At this time I do not want there to be any distraction from the important work the Home Affairs Select Committee undertakes so well.

A leading news portal quoted, "Select Committees do vital work in holding the government and others to account. We are due to publish two Reports, one into Anti-Semitism and the other into FGM in the next few days, in addition, we have a number of key witnesses.

"I will, of course, inform Committee members first of my plans when we meet on Tuesday.

"My decision has been based entirely on what is in the best interests of the Committee which I have had the privilege of Chairing for the last 9 years."

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Fellow Home Affairs committee member Naz Shah told Sky News she had spoken to Mr Vaz and "he has done the right thing" by standing aside as chair.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Keith Vaz has issued a statement on this matter:

"As with all departmental select committees, Keith was elected to the chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee by the House of Commons, and his is position is a matter for him and the House".

Vaz has allegedly paid for sex with two male prostitutes and also offered to pay for a class A or banned drug. Various comments and conversations of Mr. Vaz have been revealed. Most of his chats with various people have gone viral and pictures of condoms on his coffee table, at his flat have also been found out.

Labour shadow health secretary Diane Abbott said 'I have known Keith for over 30 years, I think this must be a dreadful time for him, and his family – his wife and his two children. And I would rather not comment.'

– Prepared by Manthra Koliyer with inputs from various agencies.