London, United Kingdom: Keith Vaz, a senior British law-maker of Indian-origin, is under pressure to step down from his position as head of an influential parliamentary committee on Tuesday after becoming embroiled in a scandal involving gay prostitutes.
Mr Vaz, from the opposition Labour Party, a married father of two and one of the first British Asian senior ministers, was recorded paying two male escorts for their services, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.
Asked about the scandal, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday: "What Keith does is for Keith and any decisions he wishes to make are for him, but I think overall what people look for is confidence in politicians".
"He hasn't committed any crime that I know of. As far as I'm aware it is a private matter," he said.
The story, recounted in lurid detail typical of Britain's aggressive tabloid press, has provoked a debate about whether the newspaper intruded unfairly into his private life.
In a statement to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Vaz attacked the journalists while adding: "I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions."
In one conversation with an escort published in the tabloid and its sister publication the Daily Mirror, Mr Vaz reportedly offered to buy cocaine for a later date, although he said he would not take any himself.
Mr Vaz, who was born in Yemen to parents from Goa, was first elected to parliament in 1987 for Leicester East in central England.
Mr Vaz, from the opposition Labour Party, a married father of two and one of the first British Asian senior ministers, was recorded paying two male escorts for their services, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.
Asked about the scandal, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday: "What Keith does is for Keith and any decisions he wishes to make are for him, but I think overall what people look for is confidence in politicians".
"He hasn't committed any crime that I know of. As far as I'm aware it is a private matter," he said.
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The story, recounted in lurid detail typical of Britain's aggressive tabloid press, has provoked a debate about whether the newspaper intruded unfairly into his private life.
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In a statement to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Vaz attacked the journalists while adding: "I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions."
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In one conversation with an escort published in the tabloid and its sister publication the Daily Mirror, Mr Vaz reportedly offered to buy cocaine for a later date, although he said he would not take any himself.
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Mr Vaz, who was born in Yemen to parents from Goa, was first elected to parliament in 1987 for Leicester East in central England.
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