Diane Abbott suggests disgraced Labour MP Keith Vaz should not run in election after cocaine and prostitute scandal

'I think he should consider his position,' says shadow home secretary

Labour's Diane Abbott has called on Keith Vaz to "consider his position" as an MP in the general election, after he was found to have "expressed willingness" to purchase cocaine during an encounter with sex workers.

The shadow home secretary made the remarks after the House of Commons' standards watchdog recommended a six-month suspension, concluding Mr Vaz damaged the reputation of parliament.

The committee said there was evidence of Mr Vaz's "apparent willingness to purchase controlled drugs for others to use" and dismissed his explanation for what happened as "not believable and, indeed ludicrous."

The Commons is expected to consider the recommendation on Thursday, but The Times suggested Mr Vaz could serve only three days of the six month suspension due to the general election.

All MPs lose their titles when parliament is dissolved on Tuesday – marking the official start of the election period – and are not allowed to use parliament's facilities during the campaign.

Asked about the committee's findings, Ms Abbott, a longtime friend of Mr Vaz, who was first elected in 1987, said: "I think he should consider his position."

"I think he himself should agree not to be a candidate," she added. "It has been a very sad issue, not just for him but for his family and his children."

An inquiry was launched by the Commons Standards Commissioner in 2016 following a newspaper article alleging that Mr Vaz, posing as a washing machine salesman, paid two male prostitutes and offered to buy cocaine for a third.

Following the scandal, 62-year-old Vaz resigned as chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee. The inquiry was put on hold during a police investigation which concluded without charges, and was later delayed again due to Mr Vaz’s ill-health.

In a report detailing the findings of her inquiry, commissioner Kathryn Stone said that tape recordings of his conversations with the two men contained evidence of Mr Vaz’s “apparent willingness to purchase controlled drugs for others to use”.

“While his comments concerning this may not amount to a criminal offence, he shows disregard for the law and that, in turn, is disrespectful to the House and fellow members, who collectively are responsible for making those laws,” found the commissioner.

A statement on Mr Vaz's website, responding to the conclusions, said: "The events of 27 August 2016 were purely personal and private, and occurred in circumstances where neither Mr Vaz's public nor his parliamentary role were engaged."

It added: "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 his medical reports in confidence with the Committee.

"He has today been admitted to hospital and this office will not be making any further comments."