MPs back Justice Committee appointment for Keith Vaz

More than 150 Conservative MPs have backed Leicester East MP Keith Vaz's appointment to a parliamentary committee. It comes despite warnings it would fuel the public's low opinion of politicians.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt were among the Tory frontbenchers who joined 38 Labour MPs in supporting the nomination for the Justice Select Committee.

A rare vote on the Labour Party-backed appointment came after Tory Andrew Bridgen, North West Leicestershire MP, objected following revelations about Mr Vaz's alleged links with rent boys.

He questioned how Mr Vaz could seek a position on a "prestigious and influential" committee when he judged himself "not fit" to be chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee by resigning after the allegations were reported by the Sunday Mirror.

Mr Bridgen added a "potential police investigation still hangs over" Mr Vaz after he wrote to the Metropolitan Police to establish if a crime had been committed regarding an "allegation of conspiracy to supply a controlled substance".

He noted the force had yet to finish its assessment of the information and decide the appropriate course of action is.

During his speech, Mr Bridgen told Mr Bercow:

Earlier, Mr Bridgen clashed with the Speaker about the content of his speech after raising "allegations that (Mr Vaz) abused his position in public office".

Mr Bercow intervened and told Mr Bridgen to sit down.

The Speaker said: