THE Metropolitan Police yesterday launched an investigation into allegations of drug use by former Labour minister Lord Sewel.
Police said last night they had executed a warrant on an address in central London at 6pm.
In a statement, the Met said no arrests had been made at this stage but confirmed a criminal investigation into allegations of drug-related offences involving a member of the House of Lords was under way.
The force said one complaint had been received but added the investigation had already begun when this was raised.
Lord Sewel earlier requested a leave of absence from the House of Lords for the duration of investigations into allegations made in The Sun on Sunday about him taking drugs while cavorting with prostitutes.
The newspaper's footage shows the peer snorting white powder - alleged to be cocaine - from a prostitute's breasts using a £5 note.
He is also pictured wearing an orange bra and leather jacket as he reclines smoking a cigarette.
The 69-year-old apparently paid one of the women for the night with a cheque for £200, dated July 22.
The former academic quit his £84,500-a-year role as deputy speaker of the Lords, which included overseeing conduct issues in the Upper House, and has since been suspended from the Labour Party.
The police probe came as Lord Sewel faced intense pressure to quit the House of Lords altogether.
British Prime Minister David Cameron indicated Lord Sewel should be kicked out of the Lords over the "very serious" allegations while senior peers said the married father should quit immediately.
Lord Sewel said he would stay away from Parliament during the investigation, writing to the Clerk of Parliaments requesting a leave of absence - a move that can be reversed in future.
The Parliamentary standards watchdog has also been asked to look into the peer's behaviour, amid claims the allegations could mean he had broken House of Lords rules.
During his leave of absence, Lord Sewel will not be able to claim any allowances and must give three months' notice if he wants to attend the House.
