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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/21/keith-vaz-investigation-suspended-for-medical-reasons
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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Keith Vaz investigation suspended for medical reasons | Keith Vaz investigation suspended for medical reasons |
| (11 days later) | |
| An investigation into whether the senior MP Keith Vaz broke parliamentary rules by paying male escorts has been suspended because of medical reasons. | An investigation into whether the senior MP Keith Vaz broke parliamentary rules by paying male escorts has been suspended because of medical reasons. |
| The former chair of the home affairs select committee has been at the centre of a long-running inquiry by the parliamentary commissioner for standards. | The former chair of the home affairs select committee has been at the centre of a long-running inquiry by the parliamentary commissioner for standards. |
| After a sting by a Sunday newspaper, the Labour MP for Leicester East was accused of a conflict of interest by using escorts while chairing an inquiry into vice laws. | After a sting by a Sunday newspaper, the Labour MP for Leicester East was accused of a conflict of interest by using escorts while chairing an inquiry into vice laws. |
| He was also accused of damaging parliament’s reputation after appearing to offer to pay for cocaine if it was brought to a future meeting. | He was also accused of damaging parliament’s reputation after appearing to offer to pay for cocaine if it was brought to a future meeting. |
| The decision to halt the inquiry was revealed on the website of the standards commissioner, Kathryn Hudson. No further details were given, but it is understood Hudson’s other inquiries will continue. | The decision to halt the inquiry was revealed on the website of the standards commissioner, Kathryn Hudson. No further details were given, but it is understood Hudson’s other inquiries will continue. |
| Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative MP who complained to Hudson about Vaz, said that if he was unwell he should stand down from parliament. | Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative MP who complained to Hudson about Vaz, said that if he was unwell he should stand down from parliament. |
| “If more than 15 months later he is not fit to be held to the standards expected of a parliamentarian, then he’s not fit enough to be a parliamentarian and we should be expecting a byelection in Leicester East,” Bridgen wrote on Twitter. | “If more than 15 months later he is not fit to be held to the standards expected of a parliamentarian, then he’s not fit enough to be a parliamentarian and we should be expecting a byelection in Leicester East,” Bridgen wrote on Twitter. |
| After the Sunday Mirror released video footage last year, Vaz apologised to his wife and two children and stood down from his role on the select committee, which among other areas scrutinises drug and prostitution policy. | After the Sunday Mirror released video footage last year, Vaz apologised to his wife and two children and stood down from his role on the select committee, which among other areas scrutinises drug and prostitution policy. |
| Vaz reportedly told the Romanian male escorts his name was Jim and that he was a washing machine salesman. He was quoted discussing the possibility of obtaining cocaine for them next time they met, although he reportedly said he would not want to take the drug himself. | Vaz reportedly told the Romanian male escorts his name was Jim and that he was a washing machine salesman. He was quoted discussing the possibility of obtaining cocaine for them next time they met, although he reportedly said he would not want to take the drug himself. |
| After claims by Vaz’s friends that the MP may have been drugged during the sting, the Mirror released new details of the alleged encounter, which the paper claims was a second meeting between Vaz and the two sex workers. It included a transcript of him allegedly ordering them to take up sexual positions. | After claims by Vaz’s friends that the MP may have been drugged during the sting, the Mirror released new details of the alleged encounter, which the paper claims was a second meeting between Vaz and the two sex workers. It included a transcript of him allegedly ordering them to take up sexual positions. |
| Scotland Yard has dropped an investigation into Vaz over the allegations. | Scotland Yard has dropped an investigation into Vaz over the allegations. |
| This is not the first time ill health has been raised when Vaz has been at the centre of high-profile allegations. | This is not the first time ill health has been raised when Vaz has been at the centre of high-profile allegations. |
| In 2001, poor health was cited when he stepped down as Europe minister while the then standards commissioner, Elizabeth Filkin, conducted an inquiry into his business interests. | In 2001, poor health was cited when he stepped down as Europe minister while the then standards commissioner, Elizabeth Filkin, conducted an inquiry into his business interests. |
| Months later, the standards committee concluded Vaz had provided misleading information to Filkin’s inquiry and he was suspended from parliament for a month. | Months later, the standards committee concluded Vaz had provided misleading information to Filkin’s inquiry and he was suspended from parliament for a month. |
| Vaz, who is diabetic, last spoke in the Commons chamber 10 days ago and was in the voting lobbies on Wednesday during a debate on Brexit laws. | Vaz, who is diabetic, last spoke in the Commons chamber 10 days ago and was in the voting lobbies on Wednesday during a debate on Brexit laws. |
| His office did not respond to a request for a comment. | His office did not respond to a request for a comment. |
| Keith Vaz | Keith Vaz |
| Labour | Labour |
| House of Commons | House of Commons |
| news | news |
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