Pubdate: Mon, 09 Oct 2000
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2000 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL
Website: http://www.independent.co.uk/
Author: Andrew Woodcock

TORY DISARRAY ON DRUGS SHOCK

Revelations that seven members of the British Tory shadow cabinet had used 
cannabis threw the British Conservative Party's policy on drugs into 
disarray yesterday.

Among those who admitted to using cannabis in their youth were shadow 
foreign secretary Francis Maude, shadow environment secretary Archie 
Norman, and leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde. The disclosure, 
published in a British newspaper, came hot on the heels of a controversial 
``zero tolerance'' policy on drugs announced by shadow home secretary Ann 
Widdecombe at last week's Tory conference.

Other shadow cabinet members who admitted having tried cannabis were shadow 
culture secretary Peter Ainsworth, shadow transport minister Bernard 
Jenkin, shadow social security secretary David Willetts, and shadow 
treasury chief secretary Oliver Letwin.

Yesterday, Mr Ainsworth told BBC Radio that the policy on drugs announced 
by Miss Widdecombe needed to be changed. He also hinted that the policy was 
not fully discussed before being announced.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy yesterday became the first leader 
of a British mainstream party to say he favoured the decriminalisation of 
cannabis.

Mr Kennedy told ITV's Jonathan Dimbleby that he did not regard the Shadow 
Cabinet members or other recreational users of cannabis as criminals. Asked 
if he believed the drug should be decriminalised, Mr Kennedy answered: ``Yes.''

He said the Liberal Democrat manifesto would propose a Royal Commission on 
possible reforms of Britain's drug laws.
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