British peer quits Lords role after video shows him ‘snorting cocaine with prostitutes’ and calling Asian women ‘whores’
British peer Lord Sewel is facing a police investigation after quitting as deputy speaker of the House of Lords over a video allegedly showing him snorting cocaine with prostitutes.
The speaker of the Lords, Baroness D’Souza called the crossbench peer’s alleged behaviour “shocking and unacceptable” and said she was referring the matter to Scotland Yard.
“Today’s revelations about the behaviour of Lord Sewel are both shocking and unacceptable. Lord Sewel has this morning resigned as chairman of committees,” Lady D’Souza said in a statement on Sunday.
“The House of Lords will continue to uphold standards in public life and will not tolerate departure from these standards.
“These serious allegations will be referred to the House of Lords commissioner for standards and the Metropolitan police for investigation as a matter of urgency.”
Sewel’s resignation comes after the Sun on Sunday published a video showing him using a £5 note to snort a white powder off a tabletop. He is also heard calling Asian women “whores”.