Scotland Yard drops investigation into Labour MP Keith Vaz

The Metropolitan Police has closed its investigation into Labour MP Keith Vaz, which it launched in November after reports about his private life in the press.

Mr Vaz, 59, stepped down as chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee after allegations that he paid two men for sex while his committee reviewed laws on sex work.

It was reported by the Sunday Mirror newspaper that the MP had a conversation about cocaine with one of the escorts in which he said he did not want to use the drug but that he would pay for it for another man at a later date.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service however said on Friday: “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.”

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen had contacted the police asking for Mr Vaz to be investigated for misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to supply controlled substances.

Following this, an investigation was launched on 10 November.

A separate investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, the House of Commons “sleaze watchdog” is still on-going into the MP.

A spokesperson for Mr Vaz said: “The Metropolitan Police Service has informed us that they have decided 'not to proceed any further' with their investigation arising from reports in the Sunday Mirror and The Mirror and that the investigation is 'now closed'.

“This investigation followed the complaint made to them by Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative Member of Parliament for North West Leicestershire."