Keith Vaz wins backing in aftermath of male prostitutes sex scandal as celebs and MPs come out in support
SCANDAL-hit Labour MP Keith Vaz has been sent messages of support after he was said to have romped with two young male prostitutes behind his wife's back.
The father-of-two was being called to stand down as chief of the Home Affairs Select Committee today after the Sunday Mirror alleged he was caught begging for a foursome as he met two Eastern European men for sex eight days ago.
But despite this, some colleagues and celebrities today backed the politician.
Simon Danczuk, Labour MP for Rochdale told LBC: "He's clearly been struggling with his sexuality.
"It won't be easy in terms of his family, dealing with the fallout."
Later in a tweet he added: "I'm right in saying Keith Vaz hasn't done anything illegal, aren't I?"
While controversial Katie Hopkins has caused fury by saying: "We all have grubby secrets...Go you".
In her own interview with LBC, she said: "Little bit of sympathy and support for Keith Vaz this morning.
"Little bit of a shocker to find out your whole private life has been made public... That you may have been indulging in a few things you didn't want to."
She added: "Rock on Keith Vaz.
"Sorry about your wife and kids and all that, but I say 'go you' and keep getting that party started."
The veteran MP has been chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, which monitors crime, immigration and drug policy, for almost a decade.
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In July this year the committee published a report calling for the decriminalisation of soliciting by sex workers and sex workers sharing premises.
Mr Vaz reportedly told escorts visiting him at a London flat "we need to get this party started".
In a series of texts printed in the Sunday Mirror he allegedly asked the men to bring the sex-enhancing drugs, poppers to the meeting.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn today insisted the controversy was a private matter.
"I think it should be treated as a private matter.
"He is going to meet the Home Affairs Select Committee and discuss with them what his role will be in the future.
I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions in particular to my wife and children.
Keith Vaz
"I'm not sure what that decision will be. I leave it to him to decide on that," he told the BBC.
Scandal-plagued Keith Vaz has survived so many that he is dubbed Mr Vazeline in Westminster.
The slippery Labour veteran, 59, has been repeatedly investigated over his conduct.
The most notorious probe was in 2001 after two Indian billionaires applied for British passports.
He intervened on their behalf and it later emerged the pair had paid £1,200 to a company run by his wife Maria.
The MP quit as Tony Blair’s Minister for Europe at the height of the row but was cleared of failing to declare the cash to watchdogs.
Today the MP for Leicester East since 1987 has referred the allegations to his solicitor and claimed that he has been the victim of a sting operation.
In a statement last night Mr Vaz said: "I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions in particular to my wife and children.
"I will be informing the committee on Tuesday of my intention to stand aside from chairing the sessions of the committee with immediate effect."
Speaking to Sky News this morning, he said: "It is deeply disturbing that a national newspaper should have paid individuals to have acted in this way.
"I have referred these allegations to my solicitor Mark Stephens of Howard Kennedy who will consider them carefully and advise me accordingly."
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