Jeremy Corbyn refused to be drawn on Keith Vaz's resignation as chair of the Home Affairs Committee, as the Labour leader welcomed the endorsement of reggae band UB40 during a London press conference on Tuesday afternoon (6 September).

"Whatever comes out of this will be a matter for him and others, not me," Corbyn told journalists. "He's made his decision because he felt that to carry on in the circumstances that he's now involved in with would detract from the work of the Home Affairs Committee."

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The left-winger made the comments as he was flanked by members UB40, the Birmingham-based reggae group. Corbyn thank for their "incredible" endorsement and praised for supporting the miners' strikes of the 1980s and human rights causes throughout the years.

Robin Campbell, the guitarist and lead vocalist of UB40, said: "We support Jeremy Corbyn because he is the only one willing to speak up for working people, who have been badly treated by successive governments, including new labour, in recent decades.

"He is the only leader offering something different to business as usual. Westminster needs big change, and Jeremy is the man to do it."

Elsewhere, Corbyn said he had "absolutely no desire" to star in BBC One's hit entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing, while wishing former shadow chancellor Ed Balls well on the programme.

Vaz, meanwhile, issued a statement explaining his resignation following allegations from The Sunday Mirror that he had paid for the services of two male escorts. "I told the committee today of my decision to stand aside immediately from committee business, and my intention to resign," the Leicester East MP said. "This is my decision, and mine alone, and my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family."

Vaz, 59, recommended senior Conservative MP Tim Loughton MP take over as the influential group's interim chair.

Vaz's full statement

"It is in the best interest of the Home Affairs Select Committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever. I am genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain chair.

"I have always been passionate about select committees, having served as either chair or member for half of my time in parliament. The integrity of the select committee system matters to me. Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable.

"I am immeasurably proud of the work the committee has undertaken over the last nine years, and I am privileged to have been the longest serving chair of this committee.

"This work has included the publication of 120 reports, hearing evidence from ministers 113 times, and hearing from a total of 1379 witnesses. I am very pleased that so many members of the committee have gone onto high office and ministerial positions.

"I told the committee today of my decision to stand aside immediately from committee business, and my intention to resign. This is my decision, and mine alone, and my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family."

Jeremy Corbyn