People must be able to have "confidence" in their politicians, Theresa May has said in response to the scandal surrounding Keith Vaz.

The Prime Minister said MPs have a duty to their constituents but stressed that decisions on his future were a matter for Mr Vaz.

She said: "What Keith does is for Keith and any decisions he wishes to make are for him.

"But I think overall what people look for is confidence in their politicians."

Mr Vaz is facing a possible investigation by Commons sleaze watchdogs as the fallout from reports that he paid two male escorts for their services threatens to overwhelm his career.

The high-profile Leicester East Labour MP indicated that he will stand aside as chairman of the powerful Commons Home Affairs Committee at a meeting on Tuesday after publicly apologising to his wife and children for the "hurt and distress" he caused them.

Mrs May, who repeatedly clashed with Mr Vaz in appearances before his committee during her time as home secretary, was asked about the situation in a press conference at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China.

She said: "I have always been clear throughout my political career that what is important for people is that they feel that they are able to have confidence in their politicians.

"That is what I think we all have a duty to provide for those who elect us."

Mr Vaz met the escorts at a flat he owns near his family home in north London last month, according to reports in the Sunday Mirror.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen told the Press Association he would write to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards regarding Mr Vaz's conduct.

The Sunday Mirror also claimed that money was paid into an account used by one of the escorts by a man linked to a charity set up by the MP.

The Charity Commission said the regulator would consider becoming involved in the matter if it felt such action was needed.

A spokesman told the Press Association: "The Charity Commission is aware of the allegations made regarding an individual linked to the charity Silver Star.

"The commission has asked journalists to forward any details and evidence they have in order to determine whether there is a regulatory role for the commission."

There is no suggestion in the newspaper report that the charity's money was used in the affair.

The Sunday Mirror also claimed that Mr Vaz had a conversation regarding cocaine with one of the escorts in which the MP said he did not want to use the drug, but indicated that he would pay for it for the other man at a later date.

Mr Vaz also asked the escort to bring the party drug poppers with him for the encounter, according to the report.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn indicated there was no need for Mr Vaz to stand down from the party, stating: "Well, he hasn't committed any crime that I know of. As far as I'm aware it is a private matter, and I will obviously be talking to Keith."

In a statement, Mr Vaz said: "It is deeply disturbing that a national newspaper should have paid individuals to have acted in this way. I have referred these allegations to my solicitor, Mark Stephens, of Howard Kennedy, who will consider them carefully and advise me accordingly.

"At this time I do not want there to be any distraction from the important work the Home Affairs Select Committee undertakes so well.

"Select committees do vital work in holding the Government and others to account. We are due to publish two reports - one into anti-Semitism and the other into FGM (female genital mutilation) - in the next few days; in addition we have a number of key witnesses.

"I will of course inform committee members first of my plans when we meet on Tuesday. My decision has been based entirely on what is in the best interests of the committee which I have had the privilege of chairing for the last nine years."

In an earlier statement issued to the Mail on Sunday, the MP said: "I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress that has been caused by my actions, in particular to my wife and children.

"I will be informing the committee on Tuesday of my intention to stand aside from chairing the sessions of the committee with immediate effect."

Asked if Mr Vaz should quit as chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, committee member Chuka Umunna told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "I think we need to hear from Keith first and we are going to be meeting with him tomorrow.

"I don't want to say more than that, other than to say when you see things like this plastered across the front pages ... you just feel terribly for his family. I've met his children and I can't imagine what the family are going through.

"I think we need to hear from him first and then we can decide with him the best way to move forward."

Mr Umunna said the committee members would need to "collectively come to a view" on Mr Vaz's position when they meet on Tuesday.

Labour leadership challenger Owen Smith declined to comment on the controversy surrounding Mr Vaz, who nominated him for the contest.