David Cameron was disciplined as a pupil at Eton College when he became embroiled in a drugs scandal. David Cameron has always refused to confirm or deny suggestions that he took drugs when young The disclosure is a potential embarrassment for Mr Cameron, 40, who has had a scandal-free personal life since he was elected Tory leader 14 months ago. The incident happened in June 1982. It is understood that the school carried out an internal inquiry into drug-taking after police said Etonians had been going to nearby Slough to buy cannabis. The then 15-year-old Cameron was suspected of smoking the drug and, when questioned by a senior teacher, the future Tory leader is understood to have admitted it. [continues 128 words]
The Discovery was made among tall trees and thick bracken on a remote cliff top near a Cornish fishing village. The terrain was so inaccessible that officers had to crawl to reach the scores of cannabis plants being grown illegally in the mild, moist climate. The audacious crime could well have been inspired by the film Saving Grace. In the hit comedy, Brenda Blethyn plays a Cornish widow growing marijuana on her coastal estate in order to pay off her late husband's debts. [continues 495 words]
PRINCE HARRY has attended a drugs rehabilitation clinic at the request of his father after he admitted that he had taken cannabis on several occasions. He had experimented with the illegal drug and had also indulged in under-age drinking, close aides to the Prince of Wales admitted last night. Prince Harry, 17, told his father that he took cannabis at a secret party at Highgrove, Prince Charles's Gloucestershire home, and on other occasions when he was as young as 16. [continues 526 words]
FOR two years, Prince Harry has been known among family and friends as a party animal. Although he is careful about his behaviour at Eton College, he enjoys a lively social life away from school. Nothing, however, could have prepared Prince Harry, 17, for his experience at Featherstone Lodge rehabilitation clinic in Peckham, south London. Although he has now admitted smoking cannabis on several occasions, it is unlikely that he had ever found himself among hardened drug addicts. Accompanied by Mark Dyer, his aide, Prince Harry was introduced to a former heroin addict who was to be his chaperone - or "buddy" - for the day. After being shown around the building, the young Prince spent time in the art room before lunch with resident addicts. [continues 535 words]
In a spate of shootings, 'Yardie' gangsters who thrive on guns and drugs have brought fear to London's streets - and their influence is spreading. Andrew Alderson in London and Philip Sherwell in Kingston, Jamaica, investigate THE traffic had slowed to a crawl at 8.40pm last Sunday as a motorcycle drew up alongside a green Toyota Land Cruiser in Kennington Park Road, south-east London. The pillion passenger pulled out a shotgun, pointed it at the six occupants of the four-wheel-drive vehicle, who included Tim Westwood, the Radio 1 hip-hop disc jockey, and opened fire. [continues 1630 words]
"Dividing Europe's spoils of crime" IN the ancient French town of Beaune, the strange mix of nationalities and expensive limousines escaped the notice of most residents, who were more interested in the price of wine at a nearby auction. Only now has the reason for an autumn gathering of Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Colombian "businessmen" at a hotel in the heart of Burgundy become apparent. According to newly disclosed French intelligence reports, representatives of the world's leading organised crime syndicates were holding a summit to discuss carving up western Europe for drugs, prostitution, smuggling and extortion rackets. [continues 913 words]
