House of Lords member quits amid drug, prostitute photos

LONDON — The deputy speaker of the House of Lords 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.

She said Sewel has stepped down from his special position in Britain’s upper house. He remains a member of the House of Lords.

The Sun on Sunday newspaper published photographs of him naked and appearing to snort cocaine along with snippets of his conversations with women said to be prostitutes.

As deputy speaker, one of his roles was enforcing standards in the House of Lords. He was an ally of former Prime Minister Tony Blair.