Lord Sewel told prostitute: The ‘real problem’ is politicians with ‘boys’

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Disgraced peer Lord Sewel, who quit the House of Lords after a video allegedly showed him taking drugs with prostitutes, has claimed that the “real problem” in politics is with “boys”.

The former life peer quit his role as Lords deputy speaker this week, after the Sun on Sunday exposed footage that appears to show him snorting powder from a woman’s breasts with a £5 note.

However, the paper reports that Lord Sewel told one sex worker that the “real problem” in Parliament was with “boys”.

When asked if other politicians hired escorts, he replied: “I think there’s all sorts of things going on. Not in a great way – not with women.

“I think the real problem is with, you know, erm… boys.”

Lord Sewel was previously the chair of the privileges and conduct committee – and had responsibility for enforcing standards in the Lords.

Following the expose, Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza branded the peer’s behaviour “shocking and unacceptable”.

She said: “Lord Sewel has this morning resigned as chairman of committees. 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.”