In the UK, Lord Sewel has resigned from the House of Lords following the release of a video which allegedly shows the Lord snorting cocaine with prostitutes.
In addition to his resignation with immediate effect from the House of Lords, Sewel also apologised for the “pain and embarrassment” he has caused. He announced his hopes that his exit would “limit and help repair” the damage done to an institution he held dear.
In the footage, obtained by The Sun on Sunday, Sewel is seen naked with two women in his luxury apartment in Dolphin Square. Shots from the video show Sewel using a five pound note to snort a white powder, allegedly cocaine, from between the breasts of a prostitute; in another shot Sewel is seen smoking a cigarette while dressed in an orange bra and leather jacket.
Reportedly, the Lord had paid one of the women £200 for the night.
Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed Sewel’s decision to resign.
“I think it’s right he has stood down from his committee posts and I’m sure further questions will be asked about whether it is appropriate to have someone legislating and acting in the House of Lords if they have genuinely behaved in this way” Cameron said.
Police have since searched Sewel’s Westminster flat and have launched a criminal investigation into “allegations of drug-related offences involving a member of the House of Lords.” As of yet, no arrests have been made.
“A warrant under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was today granted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court,” The Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “The warrant was executed at 6 pm at an address in central London by officers from the Special Enquiry Team of the Homicide and Major Crime Command.”
On the night of the video’s release, Sewel indicated that he had no plans to resign from the House of Lords. However, on Monday, the Lord faced mounting pressure to resign from his position.
Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza, detailed in a statement regarding the matter:
“Today’s revelations about the behavior of Lord Sewel are both shocking and unacceptable. Lord Sewel has this morning resigned as chairman of committees.
“The House of Lords will continue to uphold standards in public life and will not tolerate departure from these standards.
“These serious allegations will be referred to the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards and the Metropolitan Police for investigation as a matter of urgency,” her statement read.
In addition to the statement, D’Souza also suggested that Sewel’s behaviour may have breached the House of Lords strict code of conduct, which requires peers to “always act on their personal honor.”
Since the incident, Lord Sewel has quit his role as deputy speaker of the Lords—for which he earned an annual salary of £84,500—and his position as chairman of the Lords privileges and conduct committee.
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