The opening of a care home in Harrow has been overshadowed by a sex scandal involving the guest of honour.

Keith Vaz MP, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, attended the opening on Thursday, smiling as he cut the ribbon alongside other dignataries.

But allegations that Mr Vaz, 59, paid for sex with male prostitutes made over the weekend by the Sunday Mirror have since tainted the appearance.

The married father of two supposedly met with the two Eastern European escorts in August at his Edgware flat.

The escorts are said to have taken the sex-enhancing drug “poppers” before engaging in sexual activities.

Mr Vaz has previously opposed government plans to criminalise the drug.

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Mr Vaz is due to meet with members of the select committee on Tuesday amid rumours he will step down as chairman.

In a statement, Mr Vaz said: “It is deeply disturbing that a national newspaper should have paid individuals to act in this way.

“I have referred these allegations to my solicitor Mark Stephens of Howard Kennedy who will consider them carefully and advise me accordingly.”