There is little more comforting to me right now than the idea of Keith Vaz fighting for his job. Whether it's because he was actually audacious enough to believe he would get away with gaining a public honour for voting (and convincing others to vote) for the illiberal 42 day legislation, or because he was simply so stupid as to stare evidence in the face and disregard it 6 months later, I'm just glad he's maybe getting screwed.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not vindictive, but as Aaron over at Tygerland says, if you're stupid enough to get caught then you deserve to be punished.

Of course there is evidence here that perhaps he simply did just miraculously have a change of heart despite no new evidence coming to the table after he stated that there was no reason for 42 day legislation in December 2007. Firstly he obviously denied it, and secondly the Prime Minister denied it too in the House of Commons. Thirdly there is this part of me that asks whether or not it is possible for people to be that obvious and not simply be a victim of circumstance.

Trouble is, then I wake up. I realise that Keith Vaz hardly vehemently denied the accusation he made a joke out of it. I also realise that under Gordon Brown it was only a lowly manager that got fired over the loss of thousands of people's personal data and not a senior minister, and that Labour (and the Tories, I'm not partisan here) have a habit of shielding the top from the blame. Perhaps Brown didn't know deals were being struck by Hoon, perhaps he was complicit. The only thing that is sure as shit is that unless this becomes the last straw of Labour, someone else will take the bullet and Brown will be left to just stumble and mumble his usual rubbish to the masses.

And finally, that third option? Well this is Westminster, it's like saying that the poor "just happen" to not have food by circumstance isn't it?

I would put money on Vaz having received (or being promised to receive) something, there is no smoke without fire. His turn around was ridiculous and was clearly something strange to those that saw his turn of mood and heart. I hope either way there is enough narrative that this person, who was clearly influential in selling liberties down the river, loses at least his position in the parliamentary committee he heads over this pressure.