Standards watchdog reopens Vaz investigation
AN investigation into the behaviour of Keith Vaz, the senior Labour MP, has been reopened after it was halted last year due to fears about his health.
Mr Vaz was forced to stand down as chairman of the home affairs select committee after a newspaper printed photographs and video showing him hosting male prostitutes in 2016.
An investigation into his behaviour was begun by the Commons Standards Authority, but was paused on medical grounds last December.
Since then, the Labour MP has been spotted out and about at various events and parties, including some in India and Saudi Arabia.
Kathryn Stone, the Standards Commissioner, confirmed yesterday that the investigation into whether Mr Vaz’s behaviour had caused significant damage to Parliament’s reputation will reopen because he is now well enough.
Mr Vaz, who is married and has two children, was recorded discussing buying cocaine with a male Romanian prostitute, describing himself as a washing-machine salesman called Jim. He later said he would pay for the drugs but did not want to take any himself.