Keith Vaz Set To Quit As Home Affairs Committee Chair

Keith Vaz is expected to stand down as chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee later today, a member has told Sky News.

The Leicester East MP is due to meet colleagues following reports he paid two male escorts for sex.

Mr Vaz, who has publicly apologised to his wife and children for the "hurt and distress" caused, has been under pressure to quit the powerful cross-party committee, whose members are threatening a vote of no confidence in Mr Vaz if he does not step aside.

The Labour MP is also facing a possible investigation by the Commons' sleaze watchdog over the allegations.

The high-profile Leicester East MP returned to work on Monday and asked questions in the chamber about terror suspects who have fled Britain to join Islamic State, as well as the war in Yemen where he was born.

He has received a letter from law firm Howard Kennedy accusing him of "maliciously spreading false and highly defamatory scuttlebutt" about Mr Vaz.

On Monday, Mr Bridgen told Sky News: "But at the end of the day I think Mr Vaz has historically and is now currently bringing Parliament into disrepute and I don't think he is a fit and proper person to be a Member of Parliament."

The Sunday Mirror also reported Mr Vaz offered to pay for a Class A drug and discussed using the party drug "poppers".

The Home Affairs Select Committee is considering a review of prostitution laws. Mr Vaz also opposed government attempts to criminalise poppers.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has indicated there is no need for Mr Vaz to stand down from the party.

He stated: "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."

Prime Minister Theresa May said voters must be able to have "confidence" in their politicians, adding: "What Keith does is for Keith, and any decisions he wishes to make are for him".