This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lord-sewel-video-live-peer-urged-to-resign-over-drugs-and-sex-workers-video-claims-10417678.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Lord Sewel 'drugs' video: Peer pictured in orange bra and leather jacket calls David Cameron the 'most superficial Prime Minister ever' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A peer who was secretly filmed allegedly snorting drugs off a sex worker’s breasts has been urged to resign from the House of Lords. | A peer who was secretly filmed allegedly snorting drugs off a sex worker’s breasts has been urged to resign from the House of Lords. |
| Lord John Sewel, who was previously a minister in Tony Blair’s government, stepped down from his position as deputy speaker and Chairman of Committees after a video purporting to show him taking drugs with two women was published by the Sun on Sunday. | Lord John Sewel, who was previously a minister in Tony Blair’s government, stepped down from his position as deputy speaker and Chairman of Committees after a video purporting to show him taking drugs with two women was published by the Sun on Sunday. |
| In further pictures published by the Sun on Monday, he is shown smoking a cigarette in an orange bra and a leather jacket. | In further pictures published by the Sun on Monday, he is shown smoking a cigarette in an orange bra and a leather jacket. |
| It emerged that he also attacked the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London in the video calling David Cameron "the most superficial Prime Minister ever" and Boris Johnson "a public school a***hole". | It emerged that he also attacked the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London in the video calling David Cameron "the most superficial Prime Minister ever" and Boris Johnson "a public school a***hole". |
| But he didn't hold back his fire for members of his own party, calling the Labour leadership election "a f***ing mess." | But he didn't hold back his fire for members of his own party, calling the Labour leadership election "a f***ing mess." |
| He called Jeremy Corbyn a "useless...romantic left wing idiot" and said Andy Burnham was insincere and would "go whichever way the wind blows". | He called Jeremy Corbyn a "useless...romantic left wing idiot" and said Andy Burnham was insincere and would "go whichever way the wind blows". |
| Yvetter Cooper and Liz Kendall were simarily branded "not strong" and "naive" respectively. | Yvetter Cooper and Liz Kendall were simarily branded "not strong" and "naive" respectively. |
| He even criticised his former boss and friend Tony Blair who he blames for Labour's current problems | He even criticised his former boss and friend Tony Blair who he blames for Labour's current problems |
| He said the party went to war in Iraq because of "a love affair" between Blair and "awful" President George W. Bush. | He said the party went to war in Iraq because of "a love affair" between Blair and "awful" President George W. Bush. |
| He is now facing calls to retire from the chamber completely before being expelled. | He is now facing calls to retire from the chamber completely before being expelled. |
| Lord Sewel, who has resigned as Lords Deputy Speaker after The Sun on Sunday published video of him allegedly taking drugs with prostitutes, sources at the House of Lords said. | Lord Sewel, who has resigned as Lords Deputy Speaker after The Sun on Sunday published video of him allegedly taking drugs with prostitutes, sources at the House of Lords said. |
| Baroness Frances D’Souza, the Lord Speaker, said in a statement that she found the married peer’s behaviour “shocking and unacceptable” and would refer it to the Metropolitan Police. | Baroness Frances D’Souza, the Lord Speaker, said in a statement that she found the married peer’s behaviour “shocking and unacceptable” and would refer it to the Metropolitan Police. |
| Lady D'Souza said: “Lord Sewel has this morning resigned as chairman of committees. | Lady D'Souza said: “Lord Sewel has this morning resigned as chairman of committees. |
| “The House of Lords will continue to uphold standards in public life and will not tolerate departure from these standards. | “The House of Lords will continue to uphold standards in public life and will not tolerate departure from these standards. |
| "These serious allegations will be referred to the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards and the Metropolitan Police for investigation as a matter of urgency." | "These serious allegations will be referred to the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards and the Metropolitan Police for investigation as a matter of urgency." |
| But according to Sun, he has “no intention” of standing down. | But according to Sun, he has “no intention” of standing down. |
| Legislation passed earlier this year means peers can now be forced to resign or be expelled from the House if they are believed to have violated the newly strengthened code of conduct. | Legislation passed earlier this year means peers can now be forced to resign or be expelled from the House if they are believed to have violated the newly strengthened code of conduct. |
| If Lord Sewel is removed he will be the first person to be expelled because of the Act. | If Lord Sewel is removed he will be the first person to be expelled because of the Act. |
| In his role as Chairman of the Privileges and Conduct Committee, Lord Sewel was responsible for upholding standards in the House. | In his role as Chairman of the Privileges and Conduct Committee, Lord Sewel was responsible for upholding standards in the House. |
| On Sunday evening, Labour MP John Mann insisted Lord Sewel should leave voluntarily before he is expelled. | On Sunday evening, Labour MP John Mann insisted Lord Sewel should leave voluntarily before he is expelled. |
| He said: "He chaired the committee that makes the decisions on discipline. It was his committee. | He said: "He chaired the committee that makes the decisions on discipline. It was his committee. |
| "He cannot possibly go in front of his own committee and expect a serious hearing. He is a disgrace. He should retire and resign immediately. | "He cannot possibly go in front of his own committee and expect a serious hearing. He is a disgrace. He should retire and resign immediately. |
| "A lifetime ban would be the committee's only option. He needs to save them and himself further embarrassment and go now." | "A lifetime ban would be the committee's only option. He needs to save them and himself further embarrassment and go now." |
| A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of the story in the Sun and any allegation will be investigated.” | A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of the story in the Sun and any allegation will be investigated.” |
| Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |