E-Paper
Sting operation: Scotland Yard drops probe into Keith Vaz
Scotland Yard has dropped a probe against Labour MP Keith Vaz, who was at the centre of a sting operation that showed him in the company of male prostitutes.
Scotland Yard on Friday dropped an investigation into allegations against senior Labour MP Keith Vaz, who was at the centre of a tabloid sting operation in September that showed him talking about drugs in the company of male prostitutes.
Vaz, 59, had resigned as chairman of the influential Home Affairs Committee of Parliament in the wake of the sting operation by Sunday Mirror.
The Metropolitan Police Service's Special Enquiry Team began an assessment process to see "what criminal offences - if any - may have been committed" by Vaz, in response to a letter asking it to look into the matter when reports of the sting operation were published.
On Friday, a spokesman for the force said: "Following that assessment, which included obtaining early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, the MPS started an investigation in November.
"During the investigation new information was received and additional advice obtained from the CPS, following which the MPS has made the decision to close the investigation with no person being charged."
The parliamentary standards commissioner had also announced an inquiry into Vaz’s alleged breach of paragraphs 10 and 16 of the MPs Code of Conduct, but it was suspended pending outcome of the police investigation.
As the police investigation has been dropped, it is likely the inquiry by the standards commissioner will also be closed.
Vaz was elected member of the parliament’s Justice Committee in early November.
