Inquiry launched into Vaz conduct

Keith Vaz said he was pleased the matter would be cleared up

Former Labour minister Keith Vaz faces an inquiry into allegations that he breached the MPs' code of conduct by seeking to interfere in a court case.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, has begun the investigation after receiving a complaint about the MP's behaviour.

Mr Vaz is alleged to have tried to delay proceedings against a lawyer without disclosing their friendship.

Mr Vaz, who denies wrongdoing, said he was "pleased" the inquiry would happen.

The Commissioner's Office confirmed that it had received a complaint against Mr Vaz alleging a potential breach of conduct.

"The Commissioner has decided to initiate an inquiry on the basis of the complaint he has received," it said in a statement, adding that the inquiry would follow "normal procedures".

Mr Vaz, a former minister for Europe under Tony Blair, referred the allegations himself to the standards watchdog last month, although this happened after the complaint had been received.

A spokeswoman for the MP, who is chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee, said Mr Vaz was "very pleased that these matters will be now investigated".

"He will now leave this up to the Commissioner," she added.