Keith Vaz should not quit politics despite male escort allegations, says MP David Winnick

David Winnick said although Mr Vaz was right to leave his position on the powerful committee, any decision over his future as an MP should be left to his constituents.

Calls for the Leicester East MP to stand down have grown in the wake of allegations that he paid two male escorts for sex at his London flat.

Walsall North MP Mr Winnick, a long standing member of the committee, which probes vice, prostitution and drug issues, said: "I don't think he should step down as an MP as a result of this.

"That decisions is one for his constituency party and his constituents.

"I will be very surprised if there is any sort of campaign to remove him from office."

Mr Vaz has vowed to stay on as an MP and also retained his seat on the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy.

He said he plans to stay on Labour's National Executive Committee and was defended by ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone, who said 'everyone makes mistakes'.

Following the announcement of his decision to stand down from the Home Affairs Select Committee, Mr Vaz attended the Commons chamber.

Yesterday afternoon the Home Affairs Select Committee was chaired by Tory MP Tim Loughton as its remaining members quizzed Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

Another MP will be elected in the coming weeks to replace Mr Vaz.

Mr Winnick was adamant controversy over Mr Vaz had 'not harmed the committee in any way'. "It is more a question of whether some of our work would have been undermined had he stayed on," he added.

"I think he was right to take the steps that he did."