Keith Vaz's Election To Justice Committee Labelled An 'Utter Disgrace'

Labour MP stepped down from home affairs committee after escort scandal.
Attempt to block Keith Vaz from justice committee fails.
Attempt to block Keith Vaz from justice committee fails.
Toby Melville / Reuters

Labour MP Keith Vaz’s election to a powerful committee of MPs has been condemned as an “utter disgrace” coming just weeks after a scandal forced him to quit a top Parliamentary role.

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen had attempted to block the appointment to the justice committee following claims by the Sunday Mirror that Vaz paid for the services of two male sex workers.

However, a rare House of Commons vote on a select committee appointment saw MPs reject the motion by 203 votes to seven, with Labour MPs swinging behind the embattled MP.

MPs vote 203 to 7 to approve a change in membership of the House of Commons Justice Committee pic.twitter.com/tkntPMg3bi

— House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) October 31, 2016

Vaz had been the long-serving chairman of the home affairs committee, but stepped down amid claims of a conflict of interest given the committee’s review into vice laws at the time of the allegations. Parliament’s sleaze watchdog is continuing to investigate Vaz.

Bridgen had said:

“I don’t think he’s fit to be on that committee. He only resigned from the Home Affairs select committee eight weeks ago. It’s completely inappropriate.

“He is still under investigation, it will bring Parliament into disrepute.”

Places on committees are typically allotted by party.

After details emerged of the vote, which saw Vaz and fellow Labour MP Kate Green given the two vacant places on the committee, commentators on social media reacted with fury.

I can't think why voters don't respect Parliament #Part294 https://t.co/2ibPF4jAdM

— Tim Montgomerie ن (@montie) October 31, 2016

Truly truly a scandal - shows Parliament's contempt for voters: Keith Vaz voted on Parliament's Justice Committee https://t.co/zDS7Pkrj0u

— Neil Wallis (@neilwallis1) October 31, 2016

An utter disgrace. The married man under investigation for offering to buy hard drugs for his rent boys. Sleaze reigns in Westminster. https://t.co/dPzDuSLa6P

— Suzanne Evans (@SuzanneEvans1) October 31, 2016

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