Government's chief drug advisor sacked
Professor David Nutt sacked after comments he made about the classification of cannabis
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Friday, 30, Oct 2009 06:05
By Richard James.
The government's chief drug advisor has been sacked by the home secretary Alan Johnson after comments he made about the classification of cannabis.
Earlier this week, professor David Nutt, of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), claimed cannabis did not cause major health problems and should have remained a class C drug.
Former home secretary Jacqui Smith returned cannabis to a class B status last year despite medical advice pointing against it.
Proff Nut had made a series of controversial comments in recent weeks about the potential danger posed by numerous drugs.
During a lecture at King's College London a few days ago he also repeated previous comments about ecstasy - that it is less dangerous than riding a horse - and said those who wished for the drug to be downgraded to class B had already won the argument.
A statement released by the Home Office on Friday evening confirmed he had since been asked to step down.
"The home secretary has asked Professor Nutt to resign as chair of the ACMD," a Home Office spokesperson said.
"In a letter he expressed surprise and disappointment over Professor Nutt's comments which damage efforts to give the public clear messages about the dangers of drugs. As chair of the council his actions undermine its role and scientific independence.
"We fully support the work of the ACMD and remain committed to considering the independent advice and evidence it and other advisory bodies provide to the government. However the clear role of the chair of the ACMD is to provide independent scientific advice and not to lobby for changes in policy.
"We remain determined to crack down on all illegal substances and minimise their harm to health and society as a whole."
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs also released a statement confirming the news.
"We can confirm that Prof Nutt has resigned as chair of the ACMD," a spokesman said.
"It will be announced in due course who will deputise until a new chair is appointed."