London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Labour faces calls to keep Keith Vaz out of party politics

Labour faces calls to keep Keith Vaz out of party politics

Ex-minister should no longer be involved after report finds he engaged in bullying, say members

Labour is facing calls to stop Keith Vaz, the former Labour minister reprimanded last week for “sustained and unpleasant bullying”, from being involved in the party.

The demands follow disclosures that he was expected to speak at a conference fringe meeting alongside shadow ministers and has taken up a new party role in Leicester.

The ex-MP for Leicester East was scheduled to speak at a Hindus for Labour event on Wednesday. Other guests, according to the party’s fringe listings, include Preet Gill, the shadow international development secretary, and Steve Reed, the shadow communities secretary.

Several Leicester party members have told the Guardian that Vaz should no longer be involved in the party.

Helen Lentell, a local party member at the conference, said: “Keith Vaz should not be involved with the party, full stop. He has been shown to be a bully. The party should exclude him from the party. He should not be able or allowed to represent the party, hold office in the party, or speak at party events. The party should keep him out of party politics, because he has damaged the party’s reputation and standing.”

An online listing for the Hindus for Labour event with Keith Vaz listed as one of the speakers.


Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire, said: “Why is Keith Vaz still a member of the Labour party after his litany of much publicised transgressions?”

Labour sources confirmed that Vaz had also taken up a role on the party’s local government committee in his home city of Leicester, provoking anger among some local activists.

Last week, an independent expert panel said Vaz was guilty of “sustained and unpleasant bullying, with a real and enduring psychological impact” that had ended the career of a parliamentary staff member, Jenny McCullough.

“[Vaz’s] conduct to the complainant was hostile, sustained, harmful and unworthy of a member of parliament. He should be ashamed of his behaviour,” said the panel chair, Sir Stephen Irwin.

Vaz, 64, a former Europe minister, who was in the Commons for more than 30 years, declined to cooperate with the investigation, saying he was too ill.

Vaz stood down from parliament at the 2019 election, having been handed a six-month suspension from the Commons after he was caught offering to buy class A drugs for male sex workers.

Sources confirmed that Vaz was elected in August to Labour’s local government committee in Leicester as a union representative. The 36-strong body scrutinises the work of Leicester council.

One witness said: “It was a big shock to see him back in the Labour fold, given his previous behaviour.”

Eyebrows were raised in the city over the weekend when a leaflet distributed among Leicester East constituents by a campaign against boundary changes included a large photo and quote from Vaz. The leaflet also included a letter written by Vaz calling for a halt to road changes.

The MP who succeeded him in Leicester East, Claudia Webbe, is due to face trial for harassment on Monday, a charge she vehemently denies. Webbe was a Labour MP but is now independent after having the whip withdrawn. Speculation is rife that Vaz would consider standing in the seat again if she were to face a recall petition.

Asked to comment by the Guardian, Vaz said he would not consider standing as an MP in future elections but defended his right to still be involved in local campaigns.

“I and family members have lived in Leicester for 34 years. As a private citizen I am happy to support local and national causes I feel passionate about. My various interests are well known. I write letters. I sign petitions. I have retired, I am not dead.

“I have recently been hospitalised and diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and I am undergoing treatment for this and other conditions. I try not to be bothered by what is said by others about me it does not help my recovery.”

After the Guardian’s story was published, Vaz wrote to say he did not plan to speak at a fringe event. “I am not speaking at any fringe meeting anywhere and have not done so for several years,” he said.

Labour has been approached for a comment.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×