Pubdate: Mon, 17 Jan 2000
Source: Irish Independent (Ireland)
Copyright: Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd
Contact:  http://www.independent.ie/
Author: Dominic Hayes

MOWLAM TO KEEP JOB DESPITE DRUGS ADMISSION

British Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam insisted yesterday that she is
still the right person to lead the British government's anti-drugs drive
despite admitting that she smoked cannabis while a student.

In a frank television interview, the former Northern Ireland Secretary
disclosed that she tried the drug at university but did not enjoy the
experience.

"I haven't made any secret of being a child of the 60s, never have. I
wasn't part of the drugs culture, but I have said in previous interviews
this isn't a new news story.

"I said I tried marijuana, didn't like it particularly, and unlike
President Clinton I did inhale. But it wasn't part of my life then and
that's what happened."

Dr Mowlam said she realised there might be calls for her resignation but
insisted that the disclosure would not make her unfit to continue in her
role spearheading the Government's fight against drugs alongside drugs Tsar
Keith Hellawell.

"It happened in America, it (cannabis) was something that many people
experimented with. If I had bought it, sold it, used it frequently, it
might have done but I didn't," she said on Sunday With Adam Boulton on Sky
News.

"The papers will be full tomorrow with claims that I am unfit to look after
the drugs policy. I will continue to fight hard against the drugs that can
kill people, like heroin and cocaine.

"I will continue to say to young people, as I have done for the last two
months in the job, that taking drugs is not within the law and is not a
credible thing to do in your life."

The decision on whether to keep her in her role as minister responsible for
the Government's anti-drugs strategy lay with the Prime Minister, she said.

Asked if she considered whether her "illegal" act meant she should give up
her Cabinet seat, Ms Mowlam said "No, because if it did Tony Blair would
decide and I wouldn't stay."

Downing Street gave Ms Mowlam its full backing, saying that Mr Blair
"firmly believes that she is the right person for the job", while Home
Secretary Jack Straw praised her integrity and honesty. "Good for Mo in
making this clear. One of her very great strengths is her integrity, and if
people have smoked cannabis in the past, far better to say they have."

The Tories, who had demanded that Ms Mowlam should come clean about any
drugs experiences, refused to call for her resignation.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Andrew Lansley said the important thing was
"not her past experience but that she now continues with us to stress to
young people in particular the dangers of experimentation with and use of
drugs".

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy said Ms Mowlam's admission
vindicated his party's call for a "more open and mature" debate on the
drugs issue.
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