UK Dopers, What is a 'Rent Boy?'

Factual Questions
1

The Liberal Democrats seem to be the British political party that knows how to party. Their leader has announced his resignation due to being an alcoholic. Mark Oaten, the Home Affairs shadow secretary has just resigned for having a three-year affair with a ‘rent boy.’

(Somehow when this comes out in the papers it seems like a Bad Thing, but I digress.)

So what is a ‘rent boy?’ Male prostitute? Some sort of employee of the apartment building? What? I have a house boy, but that is different, I presume.

2

A brit will no doubt be along to correct me, but IIRC a ‘rent boy’ is a male prostitute, but more specifically a younger and prettier one. I’m not sure how the term came about, tho’.

3

Yes, it’s a term for a male prostitute.

4

rent boy.