Keith Vaz

[carrie]

Keith Vaz has today stood down as chairman of the Home Affairs select committee. Due to disclosures in the press regarding his private life.
Should MP's private lives be open to question? Does paying for male escorts make an MP less efficient.
He has been praised by both Tory and Labour members of the committee as being an excellent chairman and no doubt his extra curricular activities have been going on for some time but now that they have entered the public domain he is no longer seen to be a credible chairman.
Seems rather hypocritical to me.

[Hafiz]

He is a labor MP so we can assume The Guardian will give him a good run. The Guardian has all the allegations but doesn't draw the sword.

The Sting included him proposing cocaine to 'improve' the sexual situation. It also included 2 sexual partners - so we are not talking about 'romance'.

The potential for blackmail is obvious.

Could there be any doubts that a father of 2, proposing cocaine was living a life without integrity.

Don't we want people with integrity, gay or otherwise, to represent our political interests.

People like this give the hypocrite Trump more grist that we are being betrayed, which is not true, but backed by aberrant anecdote.

[newcastle]

Being gay, or bisexual, is neither here nor there nowadays.

Rent boys and cocaine parties?........I don't think so !!

Good riddance.

Whatever view you take on his morals, the guy is obviously plain stupid and should not be in any position of responsibility.

P.S.
Breaking news.

Keith Vaz has just accepted the chair of the Homo Affairs Select Committee.

[Hafiz]

My point wasn't about morals - who will throw the first stone.

It was about integrity. You do what you say and you are what you seem. (This probably does not apply to at least 2 recent leaders of the Conservative Party - Hague and Portillo - so Newcastle I'm not sure no-one cares or that the politicians think no one cares).

Trump and others make hay, with dubious records themselves, out of 'proving' that professional insiders/politicians have no integrity. He might be stupid or worse but that doesn't mean he is always wrong all of the time. He is able to shrug off allegations that his current wife was previously a nude model, or worse, because he does not pretend to be other than part of that world. He is what he seems and, although it test the limits of the word integrity, he has integrity - or at least consistency.

Newcastle - your point about the committee was cheap and obvious. Usually you do a lot better.

[newcastle]

Donald Trump may have many qualities.

However, integrity is not one of them.

That concept has been defined as “. . . the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles..."

By any definition the recent rhetoric of presidential candidate Donald Trump is the antithesis of integrity.

Consistency ...yes. In his sheer awfulness.

[A-Four]

Just a slight correction here Hafiz, it was not coke, it was in fact a substance known as Amyl Nitrate, (class 3), though not to be used by those with a heart problem. According to an old hack friend of the 'street of shame' fame, its non much different from earlier days, of '16 pints of beer each day' Hague, when as a student he worked for his Uncle Charlie delivering pop to pubs,.........what a joke.

Then there was Portillo and his 'long secret affair' with Peter Lilly of all people, well you only had to watch either of them walking along Downing Street to twigg,......the only problem is people keep such things hidden away, these people are human like anyone else,.....but blackmail is the real danger,........and any way Mi5 know everything worth knowing.

A funny story, but quite true,............Betty Boothroyd once had the idea that there should be two separate books, one red for the usual members interests, but also a blue one to record member other interests, that might come up, so to speak, when they least expect it, so she called in the 'Betty Davis eyes' mob from just up the road, past old B.P. House. She wanted to be able to confront each M.P, and say "Well, if it's written down, they will not be able to damage you". Apparently, the chief official from Milbank, gave her a long look of surprise, then suggested that it might be wise for her to consult a certain Patrica Routledge, beforehand,..................that was the first time the dear lady had been lost for words. .

[Dusak]

My opinion concerning this, although I had never heard of the guy, is that if anyone is in a position of power, no mater at what level they operate, they have to be beyond question, squeaky clean in all walks of life. Now the hunt is on for hens teeth and rocking horse poo. Find these, you find that it is possible to find such a candidate.

[newcastle]

Just a slight correction here Hafiz, it was not coke, it was in fact a substance known as Amyl Nitrate, (class 3), though not to be used by those with a heart problem.

Just a further slight correction here A-Four.

It was coke . In the taped conversation the drug was mentioned. Vaz said he didn't have any, or take it himself, but implied that he had no problem with his 'guests' bringing some or using it.

The substance is not amyl nitrate. It is amyl nitrite.

Classification of drugs in UK is not 1, 2, 3 but A, B, C

Amyl Nitrite is not a class C substance.

In fact it was recently removed from the list of substances the sale (but not possession) of which is to be made an offence under the new Psychoactive Substances Act.

[carrie]

My real point was and is, that Westminster is a very small place and the majority of MP's know what dirt lies under the blanket.
Keith Vaz was apparently well known as a self publicist and was known amongst MP's as the vasaline man. Why speak out now about him was it because before they wanted to remain on the gravy train of the Home Affairs select committee.
They all become so holier than thou when the truth emerges. None of them have a principle.

[Zooropa]

Keith Vaz is my MP, ive loathed the man for years.

If he wants to have gay sex and indulge in legal recreational drugs (poppers) then he can knock himself out as far as im concerned.

This (im hoping) might be his "Al Capone" moment.

What I mean by that is the fact that although a gangster it was on tax evasion that he was finally captured.

Keith Vaz, let me tell you, has a trail of slim behind him that would impress the world's largest snail.

Where to start with this cretin:

1. Suspended from the house for making a false accusation against a police woman of some 34 years - additional legal action taken for what is a serious offence - none.

2. Cash for passports scandal, cleared of taking money from a rich foreign national to "fast track" his UK passport application but was found to have concealed payments made to his wife (same difference!). He was the MP, he was Europe minister, he was the one with influence in the foreign office, what, precisely, service was his wife providing? "Nothing to do with me"

Yeah right.

3. Failed to register two payments made to him by a solicitor - action taken - none. Failed to assist the investigation into eighteen further allegations - action taken - none.

This is pure speculation, but folks round my way have been aware for many years of rumours that he was sympathetic to the idea of turning at least two areas, one of them newly built at the time into an "Asian only" estate.

I could go on.

So he has stood down as chairman of the select committee set up to oversee laws relating to prostitution, drugs and the behaviour and conduct of MP's LOL!

That's akin to setting up a body to improve working conditions for prostitutes only to find more than half a decade later its been chaired by Jack The Ripper.

He hasnt as we all knew he wouldn't resign as MP for Leicester East, hes not known as the Teflon MP for nothing.

So if Vaz has finally cooked his own goose in this latest happening I am entirely comfortable with that.

[newcastle]

Keith Vaz is my MP......

........ hes not known as the Teflon MP for nothing.

.

I see he's now referred to. in the press and social media, as Vazeline man.....presumably because he's such a slippery character.

And maybe for other reasons......

[carrie]

Zooropa, how does he keep getting re-elected MP for your area, is it all down to the Asian vote?

[A-Four]

Throughout my life I have never really had to work in the conventional 9 to 5 method as most people, so often when in the U.K. I would do voluntary work, and as you know Zoo, I lived in Leicester for some time. That is how I first came into contact with the Vaz family.

I first met his mother some years ago now, the family lived in Evington, though I never met any of her children even Keith, but one thing I do remember about her was that she worked constantly as a Leicester councillor for the rights of O.A.P.'s. Within a short time your city proved to be one of the best to live in for such people, and in the main, was down to the fantastic work in council by this dear lady.

Merely Vaz died around the year 2000, they named a large Health centre after her, up on the Humberstone Road in that city, as far as I can detect is not far from where you live,..........I just find it very sad that her name will now for ever be blighted by her son's actions of corruption, when she, like myself worked for nothing.

[Zooropa]

Throughout my life I have never really had to work in the conventional 9 to 5 method as most people, so often when in the U.K. I would do voluntary work, and as you know Zoo, I lived in Leicester for some time. That is how I first came into contact with the Vaz family.

I first met his mother some years ago now, the family lived in Evington, though I never met any of her children even Keith, but one thing I do remember about her was that she worked constantly as a Leicester councillor for the rights of O.A.P.'s. Within a short time your city proved to be one of the best to live in for such people, and in the main, was down to the fantastic work in council by this dear lady.

Merely Vaz died around the year 2000, they named a large Health centre after her, up on the Humberstone Road in that city, as far as I can detect is not far from where you live,..........I just find it very sad that her name will now for ever be blighted by her son's actions of corruption, when she, like myself worked for nothing.

You are correct Mr A-Four, she is highly regarded and much loved in the city, there is a campaign to have said health centre's name changed but I have apposed this for the reasons you state.

The sins of the father (or in this case, son, obviously).....

[Zooropa]

Zooropa, how does he keep getting re-elected MP for your area, is it all down to the Asian vote?

I couldn't possibly comment Carrie, even to suggest such things in this day and age will earn you a racist accusation quicker than you can say rigged ballot.

He used to get asked after each election victory if his unusually large majority in what was previously a moderately Conservative safe seat was down to the large Asian community in the constituency.

He used to wave such questions away with his hand whilst having a look of disgust at the suggestion on his face.

The cash for passports scandal I mentioned in my post broke shortly before the 2001 election. Vaz was absent for almost all of the election campaign making no personal apperencies due to "ill heath" this is normally very damaging to an election campaign but Vaz emerged unscathed with a majority in excess of 10,000.

I only know (in my opinion) that as far as white/black people are concerned if a candidate of their colour were mired in such wrong doing his skin colour wouldn't save him.

I mean, would it cross your mind when at the ballot box and your MP had been caught with his snout in the trough?

To suggest its this that saves Vaz would be very contentious in these times of cultural sensitivity.

Oh bugger it, its my birthday and I feel reckless -

YES IT IS.

[Zooropa]

However, the word on the street is that his latest escapade wont be tolerated this time.

He can make false accusations and trouser money on the side that's fine but gay sex?

Obviously crossed a line there it would seem.

Ironically, its the least of his "transgressions" that is attracting the most opposition.

[Who2]

He's been known as Vaseline in the House for a long time and not because he is just slippery....
Ps: You would have to ask the so-called LBGT brigade.

[A-Four]

However, the word on the street is that his latest escapade wont be tolerated this time.

He can make false accusations and trouser money on the side that's fine but gay sex?

Obviously crossed a line there it would seem.

Ironically, its the least of his "transgressions" that is attracting the most opposition.

There are special reasons for this Zoo, and it's not easy to explain,......however,

In your earlier post you use the word Asian, believe me there are vast differences in these people and their attitudes towards each other.the majority of Asian people in Leicester put their old family roots down as India, when in fact many of them came from Uganda in the late '80's, though the Vaz family came from Goa in old Portuguese India.

Now it mattered not whether you were Christian or Indo-Aryan, as long as you came from the correct cast, the higher the cast the more corrupt you are expected to be. In other words you automatically expected to pay more to a corrupt official, the further they are up the greasy pole,............................the best thing about this, is that the ex-pat Indian community in the U.K. don't see any wrong in this, In fact it is seen as being highly respectable.

The big problem with any Indian community is the term GAY, although they always see themselves as highly intelligent and modern thinking, when it comes to this, well they might as well be back in the Middle Ages, with a red hot poker firmly held with both hands. .

[Horus]

A4, the majority of Ugandan Asians were expelled from the country in 1972 and not the late 80’s as you stated, at that point in time hardly any Asians were remained there. They were given 90 days to leave by the then military ruler Idi Amin when he threatened to expel over 80,000 Asians, he later amended this to be all Asians who were not Ugandan citizens and that covered around 60,000 of them, the UK was obligated to take in about 27,000.

[A-Four]

A4, the majority of Ugandan Asians were expelled from the country in 1972 and not the late 80’s as you stated, at that point in time hardly any Asians were remained there. They were given 90 days to leave by the then military ruler Idi Amin when he threatened to expel over 80,000 Asians, he later amended this to be all Asians who were not Ugandan citizens and that covered around 60,000 of them, the UK was obligated to take in about 27,000.

Yes, you are correct Horus, I meant to write late 60's, but yes it must have been 1972 because that was about the time of my first ever visit to Leicester. They had a reception centre set up for these poor people as they arrived at Leicester Railway Station.

P.S. - For your reference Zoo, that was the time when the present day The Last Plantagenet on Granby Street, was a large furniture shop on two or three floors called Waring & Gillow.