Undercover footage of a senior Lord allegedly snorting cocaine with prostitutes in his Westminster pad has stirred mixed reactions among the public.
Lord John Sewel, 69, was elected as Chairman of Committees in May 2012, and was responsible for upholding standards in the House of Lords.
Sewel was filmed supposedly with two prostitutes last week, allegedly snorting lines of what appears to be cocaine with a £5 note.
In between apparently snorting lines and some seemingly sexy games, he also gave a damning take on the Labour leadership contest, describing the line up as "an absolutely hopeless set of choices."
New footage on Monday morning from The Sun also purportedly shows Sewel ranting about high-profile political figures, notably labelling ex-SNP front man Alex Salmond MP as a "silly, pompous prat."
The reaction has been mixed to say the least:
Some think the revelations should spell the end for the House of Lords for good.
Not only should Lord Sewel go but THEY SHOULD ALL GO- let's get rid of unelected Lords making decisions about our lives #endhouseoflords
— Jemima Rose (@omandprem) July 27, 2015
For others, the alleged coke snorting and sex worker fun are the least offensive parts of the story.
The most lurid revelation about Lord Sewel is that his middle name is Buttifant. You wouldn’t want your mates at school to find that out.
— Rhodri Marsden (@rhodri) July 27, 2015
A handful have been quick to call for a by-election with immediate effect... Oh, wait.
These Lord Sewel revelations really undermine our democracy. People but their faith in him by electing him. A by-election should be called.
— hrtbps (@hrtbps) July 26, 2015
Some couldn't believe he didn't use cash.
Best part of the Lord Sewel "coke & prostitutes" story is that he paid with a cheque! #oldschool
— Paul (@Paul_The_Face) July 26, 2015
The racism was pretty offensive.
What is most disgusting about the Lord Sewel scandal is him deeming Asian women as "looking innocent" when "you know they're whores."
— Kitty Devine (@Kitty_XS) July 26, 2015
Is it too soon?
Too soon? #LordSewel #HappyMonday pic.twitter.com/nDqXRUotvq
— Frank Loman (@frank_loman) July 27, 2015
Maybe this is exactly what "bursting the Westminster bubble" should look like.
Just listened to #LordSewel recording. Coked up or not, his assessment of political figures was bang on.
— Sam (@sam74mc) July 27, 2015
For some it was just a typical Saturday night.
As long as Lord Sewel wasn't claiming it all on expenses I'm not sure I really care.
— Adam Doze (@Adovy) July 27, 2015
Maybe it was all just a big misunderstanding...
I love it when the radio talks about Lord Sewel 'sniffing' cocaine. He was just seeing what it smelt like OK, leave him alone!
— Jess Vallance (@jessvallance1) July 27, 2015
It does feel pretty embarrassing that this OAP is having more fun than the rest of us
Wanna party like Lord Sewel
— Dom Miller-Graham (@Dom1985) July 27, 2015
The Lords authorities have called in the cops, but have they phones the fashion police?
Those photos of Lord Sewel are shocking to look at: a leather jacket on a man his age? What was he thinking?
— Mungo Sneekeezee (@EasyMungo) July 27, 2015
