Johnson 'lost confidence' in drugs adviser

Mon Nov 2 2009 17:56:41

Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said he "lost confidence" in a high profile drugs expert, sacked by the Government.

Mr Johnson has called into question Professor David Nutt's ability to be his principal adviser on drugs policy.

It is after Professor Nutt said alcohol could be more dangerous than some Class A substances like LSD and ecstasy.

Answering an emergency question in the Commons, Mr Johnson said he asked him to resign because his role was "to advise rather than criticise Government policy".

But he insisted his dismissal was "not a reflection" on the work of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) and he would be meeting other members "shortly".

Two members of the ACMD have already quit after the sacking of Professor Nutt and others are threatening to follow.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling added that the Home Secretary's decision on Friday was "the right one".

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