Keith Vaz quits as Home Affairs Select Committee chairman over sex workers scandal

'Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable,' says Leicester East MP

Keith Vaz leaves his home in north west London (Reuters)

Keith Vaz has bowed to overwhelming pressure by standing down as chairman of the influential Home Affairs Select Committee, after allegations he paid for sex with male prostitutes.

The veteran Labour MP announced he would be leaving the role he had held since 2007, saying: “Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable.”

In the statement, Mr Vaz did not refer directly to the hugely damaging Sunday Mirror story that suggested he paid for the services of two male escorts, told them to bring “poppers” and offered to pay for cocaine.

But he wrote: “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. The integrity of the select committee system matters to me.

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

The Leicester East MP resigned little more than one hour before a showdown meeting with other committee members, at which he was certain to be told to bow to the inevitable.

His position was further weakened earlier on Tuesday by fresh details which undermined his claim he had been set up in a newspaper sting operation.

Tuesday’s Mirror carried new details from the alleged encounter alongside footage posted online.

Mr Vaz’s critics argued that – while he had done nothing illegal – it was impossible for him to carry on as chairman of a committee investigating prostitution.

On Monday, at a news conference in China, Theresa May criticised him, saying “what Keith does is for Keith”, but added: “But I think overall what people look for is confidence in their politicians.”

Conservative MP Tim Loughton is likely to take over the leadership of the committee temporarily, before the election of a Labour successor.