Now the heat is on Keith Vaz

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, JAN. 26. As the Hindujas' passport affair continues to dominate the political agenda here, the heat has turned on Mr. Keith Vaz, Foreign Office Minister, after it emerged that he had not only telephoned the Home Office to enquire about Mr. Srichand Hinduja's application but also wrote to the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, and Mr. Peter Mandelson, since forced to resign for his role in the case. It is alleged that the letters - or perhaps an identical letter - were drafted by the Hindujas, and Mr. Vaz unhesitatingly signed them and sent them on.

Mr. Vaz was under pressure today to disclose the contents of the letters and explain his role in the ``scandal'' which has already destroyed one promising political career. His position has been further compromised by a letter he allegedly wrote to the Hindujas in October 1997 in which he agreed to ``top and tail the letters and send them out''.

The alleged letter published in The Independent today said: ``When I came to see you at New Zealand House (the Hindujas' headquarters) we agreed that you would prepare a draft letter which I would send to both the Prime Minister and Peter Mandelson to ask what progress has been made about these points... I have no problems about asking these points... I will top and tail the letters and send them out.''

The Home Office has confirmed that Mr. Vaz made inquiries about Mr. Hinduja's case and in fact he was on the scene much before Mr. Mandelson came along. His known proximity to the Hindujas has made him particularly vulnerable and media reports today extensively reported on his close links

with the Hinduja family - the numerous occasions on which he socialised with them. He was close to them even when they were staunch Conservative supporters, it was said.

The BBC on Thursday replayed a clip of a function at which Mr. Vaz was seen on the podium referring to the Hinduja brothers by their first initials: ``S.P'', and ``H.P''. Of all the British political VIPs present at the function and that included Mr. Blair, Mr. Vaz looked particularly at ease - and at home.

Mr. Vaz declined to comment arguing that it would not be proper to say anything in view of the inquiry ordered by the Prime Minister into the circumstances leading to the grant of British citizenship to Mr. Srichand Hinduja. He was ``fully prepared'' to answer all the questions when summoned by Sir Anthony Hammond, QC, who is conducting the inquiry.

The Prime Minister's office also refused to be drawn into a controversy pending an inquiry. A pretty long cast of Ministers is likely to be questioned by Sir Anthony who has already begun his work, and is expected to submit his report ``within weeks rather than months'', according to Downing Street. The Prime Minister is said to be keen on getting the scandal behind him before the elections in May.

Meanwhile, as skeletons continue to tumble out it is reported that Mr. Srichand Hinduja applied for a passport barely a week after his million pound donation to the Millennium Dome adding more grist to the Opposition mill. The Tory leader, Mr. William Hague, insisted that ``vital issues'' remained unanswered and blamed the scandal on the ``dishonesty and deceit of the New Labour culture''.

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Section  : International
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