David Cameron: Lord Sewel must quit House

David Cameron has indicated Lord Sewel should be kicked out of the House of Lords over “very serious” allegations he took drugs with prostitutes.

The UK prime minister said it had to be asked whether it was appropriate to have someone passing laws if they have “genuinely behaved this way”.

Scotland Yard has been called in to investigate the former minister, after The Sun on Sunday published video allegedly showing him snorting cocaine while romping naked with two women.

The peer quit his £84,500-a-year role as deputy speaker of the Lords, which included overseeing conduct issues in the Upper House, after the allegations emerged, and has since been suspended from the Labour Party.

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, Mr Cameron said: “These are very serious allegations. I think it’s right he has stood down from his committee posts and I’m sure further questions will be asked about whether it is appropriate to have someone legislating and acting in the House of Lords, if they have genuinely behaved in this way.

“It’s still going to take some time, I suspect, to get to the full truth.”