What sleaze probe? Vaz’s big night out
Disgraced MP hosts bash – joined by key Corbyn ally
‘Longest investigation there’s ever been’
he may be under investigation for hiring male escorts, but instead of keeping a low profile here’s MP Keith Vaz hosting a dinner with a very exotic flavour.
his guests were entertained by performers including a stilt-walker in a Brazilian carnival-style outfit with thigh-high boots.
Labour’s general secretary Jennie Formby – a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn – was guest of honour at the event in Mr Vaz’s Leicester east constituency.
A programme for Friday’s shindig – organised to celebrate diversity – featured a picture of the Labour MP with Mr Corbyn and a raffle included a bottle of whisky signed by the party leader. he sent a letter, published in the pamphlet, apologising for not attending and saying: ‘Your host tonight is my very good friend Keith Vaz.’
Tory MPs questioned the judgment of Miss Formby and Mr Corbyn, saying their backing showed Mr Vaz still has the complete confidence of the Labour Party. Mr Vaz is being investigated by Commons sleaze watchdogs to determine whether he broke rules by paying male prostitutes.
It was revealed in 2016 how the married father-of-two told the men he was a washing machine salesman called Jim before discussing buying cocaine for them.
A probe was due to look at whether the MP was guilty of a conflict of interest as he had been leading a review of vice laws at the time of the allegations as chairman of the Commons home select committee. The probe was later suspended ‘for medical reasons’ but reopened in March after it emerged Mr Vaz had visited India and Saudi Arabia as well as carrying out constituency visits.
he has also been accused of bullying clerks who worked for him in Parliament. At the 10th Festival of Diversity dinner, organised by the MP, about 200 guests were entertained by fire-eaters, traditional African dancing and drumming and a Chinese musical show as well as the scantily-clad stiltwalker, a disco and gospel singers.
In the programme, Mr Vaz decribed Miss Formby as a ‘champion of diversity’ and under Mr Corbyn ‘equality and anti-racism has been ingrained further into the Labour Party’s values’.
Mr Corbyn’s note went on to say that racism from the far-Right was ‘on the rise’ without acknowledging the anti-Semitism scandal engulfing the party.
Andrew Bridgen, Tory MP for North West Leicestershire, questioned the judgment of Miss Formby and Mr Corbyn. ‘This says as much about the Labour Party as it does about Keith Vaz, who, following the rent boy and cocaine scandal is currently subject to what looks to be the longest running parliamentary investigation into an MP ever,’ he said.
A spokesman for Labour said the annual event celebrates diversity in the party, which under Mr Corbyn’s leadership ‘is the most diverse in history’. Mr Vaz’s office was contacted for comment.