The beleaguered former minister for Europe, Keith Vaz, has denied that he resigned from government over sleaze allegations.

Vaz, who wrote to the prime minister on Sunday asking not to be included in the next government, insisted on Tuesday that he left the frontbench on health grounds.

Despite claims that he was set to be fired over the on-going investigation into his conduct, Vaz said his poor health was the reason for him stepping down.

"I wrote to the prime minister on Sunday and told him I was in hospital with a virus,'' he told the Leicester Mercury newspaper. "I said I was mindful that he was in the middle of a reshuffle and that I didn't want to be considered for the reshuffle. I wished him well and wished the government well.''

Vaz spent the weekend in hospital after developing an illness which he said was a result of not following "doctors orders" during the general election campaign.

Critics of the former minister have dismissed his claims, suggesting he tendered his resignation before Blair dismissed him from his post as minister for Europe.

When he returns to Westminster Vaz will face a further investigation into his business affairs after it emerged that he did not declare the ownership of a third home to the parliamentary commissioner for standards, Elizabeth Filkin.