Scandal-hit Vaz had no choice but to step down
DISGRACED MP Keith Vaz has finally announced his resignation as the chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee.
The Leicester MP, accused of having sex with male prostitutes and offering to pay for their cocaine, would never now be described as having good judgment. However he was at least right when he said: “Those who hold others to account must themselves be accountable.”
During his three decades in Parliament, Vaz, never known to pass up an opportunity to boost his public profile, has been no stranger to controversy. This time he had to pay the price for the devastating blow this latest scandal has dealt to his credibility.
There is no way that he could continue to oversee parliamentary investigations into prostitution, drugs and legal highs after suggestions that he was at least complicit in the use of all three. Calling upon an MP so thoroughly discredited to pass judgment on the work of ministers would have made a mockery of the whole idea of committee hearings.
Theresa May was right on Monday when she spoke of the importance of ensuring that voters can have confidence in their representatives.
It is up to Vaz now to examine his conscience and consider whether his continued presence on the green benches best serves his constituents.
Disruptive and dangerous
CHAOS engulfed London City airport after members of the Black Lives Matter group tied themselves to a heavy-duty tripod on the runway. The damage done to businesses and the misery endured by thwarted holidaymakers cannot be justified especially when their central contention – that climate change is somehow racist – is so self-evidently ridiculous.
While the disruption was very damaging things could have been even worse. Security services have warned time and again that it is a matter of when not if Britain is hit by a terrorist attack. In light of this it is baffling that a few eco-warriors were able to get on to the runway at a busy airport. The protesters must have the book thrown at them. And those responsible for securing the airport need to consider how they let this happen.
The royal runaround…
PRINCE CHARLES gave two joggers a surprise while strolling through London’s Green Park yesterday morning. Running around the park is not usually the most interesting pursuit but they certainly got an unusual story this time. As jogging anecdotes go if it’s not the best one ever it’s certainly in the running.