British Lord in alleged cocaine video seeks leave of absence
Jul 27, 2015, 10:54 AM
FILE - This Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997 file photo shows the deputy speaker of the Houe of Lords John Sewel. Sewel has resigned his position after publication of photos and a video allegedly showing him using cocaine with prostitutes. Lords Speaker Baroness D'Souza Sunday called John Sewel's alleged behavior "shocking and unacceptable" and said she is calling in police to investigate on an urgent basis. The Sun on Sunday newspaper on Sunday, July 26, 2015 published photographs of him naked and appearing to snort cocaine along with snippets of his conversations with women said to be prostitutes. (Suzanne Hubbard/PA via AP, file) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
(Suzanne Hubbard/PA via AP, file)
LONDON (AP) — House of Lords member John Sewel has requested a leave of absence while police and Parliament investigate his alleged drug use and sexual behavior.
He was filmed and photographed in an alleged cocaine-and-sex session with prostitutes that has already cost him his position as deputy speaker.
Sewel said Monday he has “no intention” of returning to the House of Lords until the investigations have been completed. He said he believes his decision is consistent with due process.
The Sun newspaper on Monday published a front-page photograph of Sewel wearing an orange bra belonging to one of the prostitutes. He was also heard in a video talking about British political figures.
A police statement said a warrant was executed in central London Monday as part of an inquiry into “allegations of drug-related offenses involving a member of the House of Lords.” Police said no arrests had been made “at this stage.”
As deputy speaker, one of his roles was enforcing standards in the House of Lords. He was a Labour Party ally of former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
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