Keith Vaz

GrannyBing, you have judged him

Vaz has escaped a number of scandals, so I don't have much time for him. I really am not bothered about MPs' sexual orientation or what they get up to behind closed doors, but his position as somebody who makes laws regarding others' moral choices is an obvious conflict of interest. I would also question his judgment in allowing himself to be part of a sting.

Hardly allowed himself to be part of a sting Daphne

I've judged him in his role of MP Anniebach, I do think we ought to take great care who we elect to make life-changing decisions that affect millions of people, here and worldwide. He passed himself off as a washing machine salesman so even he must be aware those holding high public office have a responsibility to the electorate.

@ab

Anybody who uses prostitutes is vulnerable to stings.

My concern is - children are watching -what are they supposed to make of this and many other indiscretions by people in high places.It's not his first dodgy activity either. Not illegal to exploit rent boys - well it should be. Irrespective of that what a way to treat his wife and family?

badenkate..not done anything illegal? I thought prostitution was illegal in this country be it male or fmale, and don't give me that escort rubbish, thats a posh word for a prostitute

Yes GrsnnyNing, I only remarked thst you claimed you were not judging him thrn said he had no moral compass, test is a judgement surely

Paying for sex is not ilegal

Prostitution itself is not illegal in the UK. Soliciting on street corners (or anywhere) is, as is kerb-crawling, runnng a brothel etc.

I am glad the select committee gave Vaz credit for the good he has done , he widened the scope of the committee to include FGM

Was just going to post the same as Ana.

Although it's not illegal, Vaz must have known what would happen if he was found out. Posing as a washing machine salesman shows he didn't want to be found out, but anybody in a high profile job such as his always runs a high risk.

I hope this doesn't become a political point scoring exercise, although I suspect it will.

However, I agree with you, ab, about the moral compass aspect. It's not so long ago that homosexuality was considered immoral and I'm glad people are more open now. Quite honestly, if all MPs were to be judged on their morality (whether sexual or financial), we wouldn't have many of them left. Unless osmething's illegal, I don't really think it's relevant - selection committees and constituents might, of course, think otherwise.

OK I'm judging him by different standards, Anniebach, more harshly than the rest of the population, that's true. I think we should. Vaz isn't the first and won't be the last to disgrace the office of MP, it doesn't mean we should lower our expectations of them.
I'm sounding far too moralistic now, not what I'm like really! I just feel deeply disappointed that yet again someone in a powerful influential position appears to have been corrupted by it.

I have just checked him out on Wikipedia and he has ".sailed close to the wind " for years. However I do hate trial.by tabloid and Twitter as it is underhand. I do think KV has made the correct choice to leave the committee at least.

The criticism is of hypocrisy and self self-serving rather than his sexuality the which is his business.

Fair enough GrannyBing, I don't think his powerful influence has anything to do with his sexuality . I suppose it is disappointing when an MP proves to have human failings, it doesn't disappoint me, I feel sorry for them, I do mean in their personal,lives not as politicians .

I am judging him as a man as well as an MP. He's a dreadful man.

I feel sorry for Corbyn. He can't help his dopeyness.

Sometimes ab I picture you as an angel. White raiments, arms outstretched to enfold the whole of the human race.

You need to kerb your imagination Jingle, I assure you with my great fear of snow I would never, ever wear white , took ages to find a wedding gown in deep cream

I've refrained from posting my opinions on here but I find I am agreeing with jingl quite a lot! And POGS.

Coming from near Leicester, I've have heard quite a few bits of gossip about Vaz (and it might just be gossip but there is too much of it for it all to be wrong!) I'm glad that something has caught up with him.

At least he has made you happy kitty

It isn't a moral judgement in that sense daphnedill, of course it's right that MPs like the rest of us live the life that's right for them, no-one should be ashamed of or feel the need to conceal their sexuality at all. But Vaz is a high profile MP and I think it's fine to ask where his moral compass is in terms of his wife, children, public v private persona, illegal drugs, picking up strangers, lying, and who knows what else. It's a seriously responsible role, there has to be accountability to the public. That's our safeguard against corrupt politicians.
Having said that, it would be wrong if the vast majority of decent hard-working MPs are tarnished by this.

No one should be made to hide their sexuality? Talk to gays who wrestled for years over their sexuality

Anniebach I am sure that most of us have gay friends, or at least know gay people, and some we know may have wrestled with their sexuality which has caused a lot of pain (the one I know best is now in a happy relationship).

I don't think anyone is being homophobic and saying that the reason Vaz should resign (had resigned now) is because he is gay, bisexual or whatever he is. It is because he sought to hide this from the public and presumably from his family, is a moral arbiter in his position and as such should perhaps have declared a self-interest, ie saying that he is bi-sexual and takes drugs. It would be up to the powers-that-be to then decide if this made any difference to him holding the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee.