http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Keith-Vaz-Headlines-Prosecution-or-Persecution/articleshow/54271395.cms
A sensationalist media tempest continues about Keith Vaz, longest-serving UK Member of Parliament of (Goan) Indian origin, after a questionably legal newspaper sting caught the married father of two meeting and paying male prostitutes, telling them "I want to have a good time please" and offering to pay for their drugs. The consistently disgraceful British press is now hounding the Labour Party grandee, visibly trying to end his noteworthy, pioneering career. Vaz's family, friends and supporters must be shocked and saddened by this unexpected scandal. But the fact is no crimes were committed. After he wisely stepped down as chairman of Home Affairs Select Committee (which is ironically reappraising both drug and prostitution laws in the UK), any further public interest ends with Vaz's official statement that "I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions in particular to my wife and children." Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has correctly confirmed "he hasn't committed any crime...it is a private matter." This bears repeating, and some detailed elaboration. Prostitution (specifically, the exchange of sexual services for money) is perfectly legal in London, and every other part of the United Kingdom except for Northern Ireland. 59-year- old Vaz is recorded asking for the recreational party drug "poppers" (alkyl nitrites) often used to enhance sexual pleasure. These are also perfectly legal in the United Kingdom. Finally, there is an allegation Vaz offered to pay for cocaine (which he specified he did not want) for his accusers use. This is also not a crime, as the substance was never purchased. Of course these legal details are not a blanket exoneration for Vaz's recklessness. But despite dismay over unnecessary embarrassment for his wife and children, and necessary acknowledgement it is just the latest incident where the charismatic, silver-tongued politician has engaged in questionable behaviour, it is impossible to ignore the unhinged, witch-hunt nature of the media campaign against the Goan. He's had a strikingly long and successful innings against massive odds. Now there's clearly much schadenfreude, deep pleasure being derived in tormenting him. Straightforward racism cannot be ignored here. This incident has brought forth a torrent of vicious racist bile about Vaz and his wife on the Internet, part of the measurable recent worsening of (always-deplorable) UK xenophobia and racism. It is easy to find comments urging "deport them." Contrast to the case of Tory MP, Mark Menzies who was accused of identical behaviour as Vaz, by a 19-year-old Brazilian male prostitute, or, even more stark, revelations that Conservative Party officials organized a gay "sex party" at their annual conference in Manchester in 2014, using official expenses. In both cases - and endless list of other sex scandals featuring UK politicians - the media definitely enjoys highlighting salacious details. Just this year, two Scottish MP's, Angus MacNeil and Steward Hosie, were discovered having an affair with the same journalist, Serena Cowdy. Then, champion of "the traditional fabric of family life", MP Steve Double had to admit to sleeping with his assistant. All of them apologized. All of them kept their seats, and the media moved on. Yet there is another standard for Vaz, every detail repeated every day but increasingly shrilly. More muck eagerly sought. It is a deeply sordid, slow-motion persecution. Here it is useful to remember that Keith Vaz has unstintingly, uncomfortably remained a strong voice on behalf of Indians and other minorities in Britain, throughout his record-breaking career in Parliament (since 2010, his sister Valerie has also been an MP). He has never backed down in supporting immigrant rights, surely one of the most difficult positions to maintain in UK politics. He has always fought stalwart against hard-right nationalists, whose views have been in ascendance before and after the referendum about British exit from Europe. Unlike American politicians of Indian descent like ex-Governor of Louisiana, Piyush "Bobby" Jindal, or Governor of South Carolina (and rising star of the Republican Party) Nikki Haley, this son of Goa always maintained close ties and a residence in his ancestral homeland, and visits at least once a year along with his family. He is always been available at his Parliament office for anyone visiting from Goa, and ready to attend any worthwhile gathering or event, steadfast in commitment to his community. This is a decent, honorable record that has been etched out, hard-earned over many decades. It merits lasting acknowledgement and reciprocation. Goa does not forget so easily.