Drug charges dropped against disgraced Lord Sewel

Scandal-hit Lord Sewel will not face charges over drug-related offences due to a lack of evidence, despite being caught on film committing the alleged felonies in a press sting.

London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Tuesday they had closed their criminal investigation into the Labour peer.

Sewel resigned from his £84,500 per year post in the House of Lords in July after the Sun published undercover photographs and video footage allegedly showing the peer snorting cocaine in the company of prostitutes.

Police raided Sewel’s home in central London during their investigation, but did not find any evidence to support the allegations.

“The Met launched a criminal inquiry into allegations of drug-related offences involving a member of the House of Lords on Monday, 27 July,” Scotland Yard said in a statement.

“The investigation, led by officers from the Special Enquiry Team of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, has now concluded.

“Following a review of all the material, including a forensic examination of an address in central London, there is insufficient evidence to proceed with this investigation and the matter is now closed,” the Met added.

Explosive footage depicted Sewel naked with two women at his apartment in Dolphin Square, a luxury residence close to parliament.

The video shows the Lord snorting white powder, which the paper alleges to be cocaine, from between the breasts of a prostitute using a £5 note, while a different shot shows Sewel wearing a bra and leather jacket while smoking a cigarette.

Sewel stepped down as Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords and Chairman of the Lords Privileges and Conduct Committee following the scandal.

In announcing his resignation to Parliament he apologized for the “pain and embarrassment” caused and said his exit would “limit and help repair” the damage to the reputation of the Lords.