Adviser quits in drugs row
Alan Johnson has defended his decision to sack Professor Nutt
Also In The News
|
By Tom Powell
The boot of Jeremy Staunton helped Leicester Tigers pick up a 29-15 win over Northampton Saints at Welford Road. |  |
Sunday, 01, Nov 2009 04:25
A scientist on the government's drug advisory panel has quit in protest over the decision to sack the group's chairman.
Professor David Nutt was dismissed from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs by home secretary Alan Johnson for arguing that ecstasy, cannabis and LSD were less harmful than alcohol.
Les King, previously head of the Drugs Intelligence Unit in the Forensic Science Service, said he quit in protest and expected others to follow.
Dr King told the BBC: "The home secretary denied David Nutt freedom of expression.
"Amongst the scientists, I think a number will resign," he added.
"It doesn't need the whole council to resign for the thing to stop working."
Mr Johnson has defended his decision, saying that Professor Nutt overstepped the mark by straying into policy.
"This was not about Professor Nutt's views, which I respect but I don't agree with them," Johnson told Sky News.
"You cannot have a chief adviser at the same time stepping into the political field and campaigning against government decisions. You can do one or the other, you can't do both."
Sky News has also reported a second member of the panel has resigned, believed to be Marian Walker, the clinical director of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust.