A Labour peer caught up in a sex scandal made his first public appearance today.

Former senior police officer Brian Mackenzie was at the launch of an international anti-fraud initiative in Newcastle.

The scandal centres around allegations at the weekend that he had sex with a prostitute he met while she was working as a barmaid in the House of Commons.

Lord Mackenzie, chairman of the Peers' Home Affairs Group, has denied the claims.

The 59-year-old peer was at the North East Fraud Forum to talk about Internet crime.

He declined to answer questions about the allegations as he left the event at St James's Park, saying he would only talk about fraud.

The married father of two grown-up sons served as a police officer for 35 years and became a Chief Superintendent with Durham Police. He lives outside Durham City.