Lord Sewel will NOT face charges over drugs claims, say police

The scandal-hit peer resigned from the House of Lords after footage appeared of him allegedly taking cocaine with two prostitutes.

He apologised for the "pain and embarrassment" caused by the scandal when he quit days after the images were published.

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

"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's decision to drop the case comes after it was criticised for waiting two days after the allegations were raised to search the peer's home.

The married 69-year-old resigned from his £84,500-a-year role as deputy speaker of the Lords and chairman of the Lords Privileges and Conduct Committee, then quit Parliament altogether.

In a statement to parliamentary officials announcing his resignation, Lord Sewel said: "I hope my decision will limit and help repair the damage I have done to an institution I hold dear.

"I want to apologise for the pain and embarrassment I have caused."

That was welcomed by David Cameron but the Prime Minister played down the prospect of further reform of the Second Chamber, saying there was "no point in trying that route again".

Previous changes suggested by the coalition had failed.

The scandal fuelled criticisms the unelected House of Lords is out of touch and should be scrapped.

The chamber has swollen in size in recent years, and there are currently 783 members, making it the largest legislative assembly outside China.