Keith Vaz

I'm not putting up my hand, which is one of the reasons I've never considered being a politician.

I hate to think what people I've known over the years could drag up and make a case against me.

My hand is up, good and fair post Jess

Seems unlikely that the Mirror's motivations were entirely honourable. What would those honourable motivations look like? Is there really an issue of "public interest" here? The public might be "interested" i.e. nosy/prurient but there is no suggestion of corruption or improper dealings in his work.
He might not have taken the poppers himself, as jing implies.
Vaz certainly will have annoyed many important people in his work as an effective committee chair.
What right has the public to expect that their MPs should be perfect? The important thing is that they adhere to honest behaviour in public life. The other important thing is that they are not hypocritical - Stephen Crabbe was very public about his Christianity and being a good family man and then got caught out "sexting" (I think - was that it?) just as he was making a bid to be elected leader of the Conservative party.
Hands up any members who can put their hands on their hearts and say they have never done something they would prefer not to appear in the Daily Mirror. With photos.

Daphne, I am not saying he was forced to meet the men and have sex with them, his choice, I do think the mirror played a bigger part in it than they admit.

You are simply extremely virtuous ab. Everyone on this site knows that.

Sorry, ab, but I think he's the author of his own downfall. I'm not going to get into any conspiracy theories. Anybody who goes into politics should know how to be careful with the media and his/her reputation.

he certainly has bugged people Daphne, add to it he was friendly with the Blairs, he Certsintly didn't hold back on the phone hacking scandal, upset the media.bet he has been on a hit list for a while with different groups

@ab

Vaz seems to have been guilty of 'hubris' (a personality quality of extreme or foolish pride or dangerous over-confidence). In Greek and classical literature, heroes were often guilty of hubris or 'getting above themselves'. In Greek literature, they offended the gods. Today, I suppose they offend public opinion and media bosses.

I agree that there is an awful lot of moral hypocrisy in the media, who are influential in shaping people's opinions. Vaz must have pi$$ed off quite a few people to be treated like this.

@ab

Aha! I see. It's a pretty meaningless term in itself and is only obnoxious if people disagree with the views being supported.

Deeda, his choice to risk infection and his money would have to pay blackmailers.

I think he has done much good for many people and this is what matters to me . It is assumed his wife must be devasted, perhaps she is, perhaps she knows his sexual preference .

Reminds me of my weeping when John Diamond wrote his column on his fight with cancer, there was even a short documentary series, I ached for Nigella , think the country did, but hey ho, Nigella was having an affair with husband to be no 2

I agree with you, Deedaa.

People like me Daphne, Jingle said I did virtual signalling, I had no idea what it meant so dhe told me to google it, I did and there was an article in the spectator which described these people as obnoxious, am I bothered ? nope, been called worse than thst

I'm not bothered about him wanting to hide his sexuality, most of us would like to keep our private lives private. What I am bothered about is a high profile politician who is stupid enough to indulge in risky activities. Any one paying for sex is open to possible infection on the one hand or possibly even blackmail.

Which people are obnoxious?

OMG! I've just looked at the Mirror. I can't quite believe it either that they printed pictures.

My opinion is that there are many historical reasons for not trusting Vaz, but this is disgraceful journalism.

As far as I know (and more may be revealed) he has done nothing illegal. I think he was right to resign from the Home Affairs Committee, as this is a conflict of interest. Whatever happens with his wife is not my business and I don't really care that he's homosexual or bi. I certainly don't want to see pictures of him.

I must admit that if I were in his shoes and some 'dirty secret' had been uncovered, I wouldn't want to carry on being in the public eye.

Jingle,,I took your advice and googled virtual thingy. The Spectator describes these people as abnoxious . Fair enough

I'm going to shut up now.

Poppers are muscle relaxants. Makes things easier.

No!!!

Link?

In that case, he is certainly finished as an MP.

I can't believe that even the Mirror printed a photo of Vaz 'buggering one of the prostitutes'!

I think he is finished as an MP, but we shall see.

I think he said he would not take coccaine and also he asked about the effect of poppers ,the latter legal. I hive not heard he said he took drugs, I expect someone who read the alleged transcript will know and confirm if he did admit it or not.,

I don't know. I haven't read the Mirror article. I thought he said something about poppers, which aren't illegal.

Has he admitted to taking drugs?
If it is untrue then I apologise to him (I thought it had been established that he had).