Labour's Keith Vaz is expected to quit as the chair of the influential Home Affairs Committee on Tuesday (6 September 2016) after allegedly soliciting sex with male escorts and apparently discussing illegal drugs with the prostitutes.

The Leicester East MP has held the position since 2007, in which he has advised on legislation around drugs and prostitution.

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The married father of two apologised to his wife and children after The Sunday Mirror claimed he recently met with the two male escorts in his north London flat. Vaz, who was first elected to parliament in 1987, has referred the allegations to his solicitor.

"At this time I do not want there to be any distraction from the important work the Home Affairs Select Committee undertakes so well," the 59-year-old said in a statement. "Select committees do vital work in holding the government and others to account.

"We are due to publish two reports, one into anti-Semitism and the other into FGM (female genital mutilation) in the next few days, in addition we have a number of key witnesses.

"I will of course inform committee members first of my plans when we meet on Tuesday. My decision has been based entirely on what is in the best interests of the committee which I have had the privilege of chairing for the last nine years."

The cross-party group of MPs will meet at 2pm BST on Tuesday afternoon before speaking with immigration minister Robert Goodwill at 3.30pm. An "informed source" told The Guardian that Vaz is to tell the Home Affairs Committee he will stand aside as chair.

The Mirror, meanwhile, has published a full transcript of an alleged conversation between Vaz and one of the escorts after a friend of the Labour MP suggested he was on drugs during the encounter.

British Prime Minister Theresa May addressed the scandal during the G20 summit in China on Monday. "What has been clear throughout my political career, and what is important for people, is that they feel they are able to have confidence in their politicians, and that is what we have a duty to apply for those who elect us," the Conservative premier said.

"What Keith does is for Keith and any decisions he wishes to make are for him. But overall, what people want is confidence in their politicians."

The MP has received support from Labour MP for Rochdale Simon Danczuk, among others.

Vaz, who reportedly told the male escorts he was a washing machine salesman called Jim, attended parliament on Monday. He welcomed the new Home Secretary Amber Rudd to the post ahead of the Home Affairs Committee questioning the top Conservative.

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