‘House of Lords member steps down over drugging with escorts’
The deputy speaker of the UK House of Lords has resigned over the publication of a video allegedly showing him using cocaine with a couple of prostitutes.
Baron John Sewel’s decision to step down came after British daily, the Sun, published pictures of him snorting cocaine.
Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza has called Sewel’s behavior shocking and unacceptable. She added that the House of Lords will continue to uphold standards in public life and will not tolerate departure from these standards.
"Lord Sewel has this morning resigned as Chairman of Committees,” British media quoted her as saying.
“These serious allegations will be referred to the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards and the Metropolitan Police for investigation as a matter of urgency," she added.
In the footage, the 69-year-old peer is said to have stripped naked in front of the two escorts in his flat near Westminster last week.
The former Labour minister for agriculture, environment and fisheries is pictured with a rolled-up banknote in his hand as he appears to snort a white powder.
Lord Sewel, a former senior vice principal of Aberdeen University, reportedly received £84,525 as chairman of the Lords' Privileges and Conduct Committee - the body that upholds standards of behavior among peers.
Sewel’s case has been referred to the Scotland Yard for urgent investigation.
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