Pubdate: Tue, Sept 28, 1999
Source: Express, Express on Sunday (UK)
Contact:  Stacey Rudkin

LET'S DEAL FAIRLY WITH DRUG DEALERS

AFTER reading the article about Tony Blair's fear of drugs and drug-related
crimes and his proposal for an urgent Crime and Justice Bill (Express,
September 27), I thought of the article "Drug-dealing Lord walks free after
newspaper sting" (Express, September 23).

How can the wealthy commit crimes and be punished lightly in comparison to
criminals from a deprived background? Everywhere one goes, CCTV cameras are
watching us ready to pounce on the first sign of criminal behaviour, so why
is it just for the Earl of Hardwicke and his former business partner to
escape a prison sentence for cocaine dealing because of the undercover
journalism tactics used to catch them? Once again the elites are protected.

When Tony Blair starts going on about being afraid of drugs, perhaps be
ought to take a closer look in the House of Lords.

Stacey Rudkin, Address supplied

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