Pubdate: Tue, 03 Nov 2009
Source: Daily Express (UK)
Copyright: 2009 Northern and Shell Media Publications
Contact:  http://www.express.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/145

MORE DRUG EXPERTS TO QUIT

ALAN Johnson was warned last night that more members of  the
Government's main drugs committee will quit after  his sacking of the
chief drugs advisor.

Members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs  have sent the
Home Secretary a letter saying that  unless they get promises about
the role and treatment  they will resign.

Two other members of the committee have already walked  out after
Professor David Nutt was fired on Friday  after attacking ministers
for not weakening the law on  cannabis and ecstasy. He also claimed
ecstasy was no  more dangerous than riding a horse and cannabis was 
safer than alcohol or cigarettes.

But the scientists' letter said the affair had brought  to the fore
wider concerns.

Mr Johnson defended the sacking in the Commons. He said  it was his
right as a politician to take or reject  advice.

Tory backbencher Patrick Cormack said that Mr Johnson  should remember
Winston Churchill's words that  scientists "should be on tap, not on
top". 
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