Rent-boy shame MP Keith Vaz handed plum job on new justice committee despite cop probe

SHAMED vice MP Keith Vaz will play a key role shaping a new crime prevention Bill despite being under active police investigation.

The Sun can reveal the disgraced Leicester MP has been appointed a member of the new Criminal Finance Bill Committee that meets for the first time on Tuesday.

Mr Vaz was put forward for the job by the Labour Party and will be able to cross-examine witnesses from the Serious Fraud Office and National Crime Agency as the bill makes it way into law.

But furious fellow MPs demand he step aside while being probed by the Met after allegations he offered to buy rent-boys cocaine.

This latest outrage comes just days after Scotland Yard launched the formal robe probe in the the Leicester MP after recordings emerged of him allegedly discussing cocaine with male prostitutes in August.

The Met said last week: “Following that assessment, which included obtaining early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, the MPS is now ­investigating offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.”

This latest row comes nearly three months after it was revealed the sleazy 59-year-old paid two men for sex at his London flat.

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He later stood down as the influential chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

But he sparked further uproar by joining the Commons Justice Committee last month, despite the potential clash of interests as the committee scrutinised important prostitution and drugs laws.

The new Criminal Finance Bill is being driven through Parliament by Security Minister Ben Wallace.

Introducing the legislation to the Commons last month, Mr Wallace said: “Financial profit is at the heart of almost all forms of serious and organised crime, the UK drugs trade alone is estimated to generate £4 billion of revenue.”

The cross party Bill Committee has been set up to examine Mr Wallace’s new plans to strengthen Unexplained Wealth Orders, where assets can be seized if owners are unable to explain how they were funded.

One influential member of the committee said last night: “the brass neck of this man is something else.

“He would be better suited as a witness to our committee than someone asking the questions.”

They added: “It’s an absolute disgrace, and I would expect him to resign from the position at our first meeting.”

A spokesman for Mr Vaz said: "Members of Parliament are appointed to various Committees whether they are able to attend depends on their constituency and other Parliamentary commitments."

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