Deputy speaker quits over cocaine video

John Sewel has stepped down as deputy speaker of the House of Lords after publication of photos and a video allegedly showing him using cocaine with prostitutes.

Lords Speaker Baroness D’Souza called Sewel’s alleged behaviour “shocking and unacceptable” and said she is calling in police to investigate on an urgent basis.

The Sun on Sunday published photographs of him naked and appearing to snort cocaine along with snippets of his conversations with women said to be prostitutes.

Sewel remains a member of the House of Lords. As deputy speaker, one of his roles was enforcing standards in the house.