Expert exodus exposes cracks in drug stance

LONDON - The British Government's hardline stance on illegal drugs appeared to be unravelling yesterday as two more scientists on its advisory council quit in protest at the sacking of their chairman, Professor David Nutt.

Dr Les King resigned from the 21-member Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, saying Home Secretary Alan Johnson had denied Nutt's right to "freedom of expression".

He was followed by Marion Walker, the council representative from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Nutt had repeatedly criticised the Government for ignoring scientific evidence on drugs presented by the council which he chaired. He predicted there would be further resignations, saying the position of scientists on the council was "untenable".

The row was sparked by Nutt's comments that ecstasy and LSD were less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes. He also criticised the decision to upgrade cannabis to class B.

King, former head of the Home Office's Drugs Intelligence Unit, said: "Professor Nutt may be an adviser but he's still got the right to say what he likes. That was being denied."

The Government had the right to reject the council's advice but the council was being forced to operate to a "pre-defined political agenda. It's being asked to rubber stamp a pre-determined position."

Former fertility specialist Lord Winston warned that the Government would be ignored if it gave advice to the public that did not take account of scientists' opinions.

Johnson said Nutt had "crossed a line" from providing advice to political lobbying. "You can do one or the other. You can't do both," he said.

Sir Liam Donaldson, the Government's Chief Medical Officer, told the BBC that Nutt's situation had been "very controversial. These things are best sorted out behind the scenes so that the Government and their advisers can go to the public with a united front."

- INDEPENDENT