Keith Vaz faces possible investigation over male escort allegations

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz is facing a possible investigation over reports he paid two male escorts for their services.

The Labour MP indicated he will stand aside as chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee at a meeting on Tuesday after publicly apologising to his wife and children for the "hurt and distress" he caused them.

Mr Vaz met the escorts at a flat he owns near his family home in North London last month, according to reports in the Sunday Mirror.

North West Leicestershire Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said he would write to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards regarding Mr Vaz's conduct.

The Sunday Mirror also claimed money was paid into an account used by one of the escorts by a man linked to a charity set up by the MP.

The Charity Commission said the regulator would consider becoming involved in the matter if it felt such action was needed.

A spokesman said:

There is no suggestion in the newspaper report that the charity's money was used in the affair.

The Sunday Mirror also claimed that Mr Vaz had a conversation regarding cocaine with one of the escorts in which the MP said he did not want to use the drug, but indicated he would pay for it for the other man at a later date.

Mr Vaz also asked the escort to bring party drug poppers with him for theencounter, according to the report.

Mr Corbyn indicated there was no need for Mr Vaz to stand down from the Labour Party, stating: "Well, he hasn't committed any crime that I know of. As far as I'm aware it is a private matter, and I will obviously be talking to Keith."

In a statement, Mr Vaz said:

In an earlier statement issued to the Mail on Sunday, the Leicester East MP said: