Keith Vaz

Labour MP Leicester East

Date of birth

26 November 1956

Political profile

Keith Vaz was, initially, one of New Labour's rising stars.

After his first election win in 1987, he became a parliamentary private secretary to various law officers, a role which reflected his background as a barrister.

In 1999, he became a junior minister in the Lord Chancellor's Department, the first ever Asian minister in the Commons, and subsequently became minister for Europe.

However, he became the subject of intense scrutiny from various sources - from the parliamentary authorities, from within the Labour Party and from the media - for alleged financial improprieties.

Mr Vaz compounded his difficulties by what was seen as evasive behaviour, to the point where some Labour backbenchers were openly calling for his dismissal.

At the 2001 election, he was often cited as the prime example of 'Labour sleaze', and stood down from the government on health grounds.

Since then, he has kept a low profile as a backbencher - interrupted by his being suspended from the Commons for a month after he was found deliberately to have tried to obstruct the Standards Commissioner's inquiry into his affairs - something he has denied.

Contact

Commons office: 020 7219 4605
Email: [e-mail]