Keith Vaz rent boy claims: Walsall MP David Winnick says campaigning politician was publicity hungry

Walsall North MP David Winnick's comments came as Mr Vaz announced he is to quit as chairman of the influential committee after he was embroiled in rent boy revelations.

"And I think to some extent it undermined the credibility of the committee."

Mr Vaz, who has publicly apologised to his wife and children for the 'hurt and distress' caused, had been under pressure to quit the powerful cross-party committee, whose members were threatening a vote of no confidence in him if he did not resign.

Announcing his resignation, Labour MP Mr Vaz said it was in the 'best interest' of the committee for it to conduct its business 'without any distractions'.

"This is my decision, and mine alone, and my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family," he said.

"Those who hold others to account must themselves be accountable." Mr Vaz said 'recent events' had made it impossible for the committee's 'important work' to continue 'without distraction'.

Senior Conservative MP Tim Loughton has been appointed interim chairman until a successor is elected, probably in October.

Speaking to reporters at Portcullis House, Mr Loughton said: "The committee listened, I think, in sadness to what Keith had to say and with a good deal of respect.

"Keith has clearly acted in the best interests of the Home Affairs Select Committee and the important work that we do.

"With sadness we all accepted that that was the appropriate course of action that he has taken and we also appreciate the many challenges facing him personally and his family." Tory Home Affairs Committee member David Burrowes, said Mr

Vaz had done 'the right and honourable thing'. "It was the inevitable thing, I think, given the nature of the allegations and his role as chairman of the committee," he added.

"It wasn't a party political view. It would have been a cross-party view that would have been given to Keith and he has taken the right view for the good of the committee." Mr Burrowes said Mr Vaz was 'an excellent chair' but his position was 'untenable'. His continued occupancy of the chair would have led the committee's integrity 'being called into question', he said.

The committee's inquiries into issues like prostitution or drugs 'demand an objective view and one that isn't likely to be conflicted and isn't liable to be undermined or compromised', said Mr Burrowes.

"What has been exposed through the papers meant he was fatally compromised to continue as chair." Meanwhile Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has indicated there is no need for Mr Vaz to stand down from the party.

"He's made his decision because he felt that to carry on in the circumstances that he is now involved in would detract from the work of the Home Affairs Committee and so he has made that decision for himself," he added.

A decision on his future on the party's ruling National Executive will be discussed and 'partly made' by the MP himself, he said.