Keith Vaz: Met Police to 'assess whether Labour MP committed crimes' over prostitute claims

Sex claims: MP Keith Vaz
John Stillwell/PA Wire
Francesca Gillett9 September 2016
WEST END FINAL

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The Met Police has said they will assess whether criminal offences were commited by Labour MP Keith Vaz in the wake of Sunday newspaper allegations.

The force today confirmed they had received a letter on Wednesday asking the police to consider the matter.

Mr Vaz, 59, a married father-of-two, quit as chairman of the influential House of Commons Home Affairs committee on Tuesday after the Sunday Mirror claimed he had paid male prostitutes.

The Leicester East MP allegedly had a conversation regarding cocaine with one of the male escorts in which the MP said he did not want to use the drug, but indicated that he would pay for it for the other man at a later date,the paper reported.

In the wake of the revelations, Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who has been highly critical of Mr Vaz, indicated that he would be writing to Scotland Yard calling for Mr Vaz to be investigated for misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to supply controlled substances.

Today, the Met released a statement which said they "can confirm a letter was received on Wednesday, 7 September requesting police consider the matter.

"The letter has been forwarded to the Met's Special Inquiry Team, part of Specialist Crime and Operations, to assess and identify what criminal offences - if any - may have been committed.

"At this stage a police investigation has not been launched."

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