Longest-serving Indian-origin MP in Britain's House of Commons, Keith Vaz, stepped down. Vaz was recently shamed after he was found to have “expressed willingness” to purchase cocaine for sex workers.
Following this, the Commons Standards Committee recommended he should be suspended for six months for causing “significant damage” to the reputation of the House. The recommendation to suspend Vaz was made on October 31.
He had during that time said he was receiving treatment for a serious mental health condition. He also said that he may have been given a spiked drink during the time and that he had actually met the men to discuss redecoration of his flat.
“I have decided to retire after completing 32 years as a member of parliament for Leicester East. In that time I have won eight general elections. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve my constituency since I came to the city in 1985,” Vaz said as he announced his decision to step down from politics.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said, “I was proud to support his (Keith Vaz's) selection and incredibly proud when he won, taking the seat from the Tories.”
Vaz was among a pioneering group of black and Asian MPs elected in 1987.
