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Keith Vaz to be urged to stand down from home affairs committee Keith Vaz quits as Home Affairs Committee chairman
(35 minutes later)
Labour MP Keith Vaz will be urged to stand down as chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee when he meets colleagues later. 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.It follows newspaper claims he paid for the services of two male sex workers.
The BBC's Norman Smith said if Mr Vaz would not stand aside, committee members would give him 24 hours to "reflect on his position" before he faces a possible no confidence vote. 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.
Mr Vaz has yet to comment in detail on the allegations. "I am genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain chair. "
A senior member of the committee told the BBC Mr Vaz would be given the opportunity to "justify himself", adding that he was "pretty sure" Mr Vaz would at least stand aside on a temporary basis.
The source said Mr Vaz's position was "not tenable".
MPs are unclear over what powers they have to force Mr Vaz out if he refuses to quit and senior figures on the committee are understood to be consulting Commons clerks, Norman Smith said.
But he added that there is still understood to be some support in the committee for Mr Vaz from members who hold him in "high regard" for his chairmanship.
On Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May said the public must have confidence in its politicians, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it was a "private matter".On Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May said the public must have confidence in its politicians, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it was a "private matter".
Labour MP Kate Hoey has said it would be in the interests of Mr Vaz and Parliament as a whole for him to leave the committee completely.
She said there should then be an election of a new committee chair involving all MPs.
Keith Vaz biographyKeith Vaz biography
Keith Vaz - the 'Teflon politician'Keith Vaz - the 'Teflon politician'
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.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.
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said he would refer the matter to the Commons Standards commissioner and may also report Mr Vaz to police.Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen 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.Married father-of-two Mr Vaz said he was referring the paper's allegations to his solicitor.
The 59-year-old has also described it as a "privilege" to be the chairman of the select committee, which monitors crime and drugs policy, for the past nine years.
"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."
Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone backed Mr Vaz, who he said he had known for 40 years and had always been on the side of social justice.Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone backed Mr Vaz, who he said he had known for 40 years and had always been on the side of social justice.
"I think someone's private life should be private," Mr Livingstone told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme, adding that the allegations were not proven and should not prevent Mr Vaz from leading his committee's prostitution inquiry."I think someone's private life should be private," Mr Livingstone told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme, adding that the allegations were not proven and should not prevent Mr Vaz from leading his committee's prostitution inquiry.