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Johnson defends drugs row sacking Johnson defends drugs row sacking
(40 minutes later)
The home secretary has defended sacking the UK's chief drugs adviser after his criticism of the government's tough approach to cannabis and ecstasy.The home secretary has defended sacking the UK's chief drugs adviser after his criticism of the government's tough approach to cannabis and ecstasy.
In a letter to the Guardian, Alan Johnson says Prof David Nutt went against a "long established" principle by straying into politics.In a letter to the Guardian, Alan Johnson says Prof David Nutt went against a "long established" principle by straying into politics.
Two members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs have resigned in protest at the sacking.Two members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs have resigned in protest at the sacking.
Prof Nutt has said he doubts any "true" scientist could work for Mr Johnson.Prof Nutt has said he doubts any "true" scientist could work for Mr Johnson.
He was sacked last Friday shortly after using a lecture to say that cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, and saying it was upgraded to Class B - against the council's advice - for political reasons.He was sacked last Friday shortly after using a lecture to say that cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, and saying it was upgraded to Class B - against the council's advice - for political reasons.
DEPARTING ADVISERS Prof David Nutt - chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of DrugsDr Les King - part-time advisor to the Department of Health, senior chemist on ACMDMarion Walker - clinical director of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's substance misuse service, Royal Pharmaceutical Society's representative on ACMD Send us your comments Easton: Why was Nutt sacked? DEPARTING ADVISERS Prof David Nutt - chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of DrugsDr Les King - part-time adviser to the Department of Health, senior chemist on ACMDMarion Walker - clinical director of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's substance misuse service, Royal Pharmaceutical Society's representative on ACMD Send us your comments Easton: Why was Nutt sacked?
In his letter, Mr Johnson says Prof Nutt was asked to resign "because he cannot be both a government adviser and a campaigner against government policy".In his letter, Mr Johnson says Prof Nutt was asked to resign "because he cannot be both a government adviser and a campaigner against government policy".
He said the professor's widely quoted comment about horse riding being more dangerous than ecstasy was a "political rather than a scientific point".He said the professor's widely quoted comment about horse riding being more dangerous than ecstasy was a "political rather than a scientific point".
Mr Johnson writes: "There are not many kids in my constituency in danger of falling off a horse - there are thousands at risk of being sucked into a world of hopeless despair through drug addiction."Mr Johnson writes: "There are not many kids in my constituency in danger of falling off a horse - there are thousands at risk of being sucked into a world of hopeless despair through drug addiction."
Over the weekend Mr Johnson and Prof Nutt defended their stances on the issue in television interviews.Over the weekend Mr Johnson and Prof Nutt defended their stances on the issue in television interviews.
Writing in the Times, Prof Nutt says the Home Office no longer has a "functioning advisory group".Writing in the Times, Prof Nutt says the Home Office no longer has a "functioning advisory group".
'Injustices''Injustices'
And he warns that more of the remaining 28 members could leave.And he warns that more of the remaining 28 members could leave.
"It seems unlikely that any 'true' scientist will be able to work for this, or future, home secretaries," his letter says."It seems unlikely that any 'true' scientist will be able to work for this, or future, home secretaries," his letter says.
"My sacking has cast a huge shadow over the relationship of science to policy.""My sacking has cast a huge shadow over the relationship of science to policy."
On the comments that led to his sacking, Prof Nutt says it is "imperative that the classification of drugs truly reflects their harms, otherwise injustices may occur and the educational message be undermined".On the comments that led to his sacking, Prof Nutt says it is "imperative that the classification of drugs truly reflects their harms, otherwise injustices may occur and the educational message be undermined".
The remaining members of the existing advisory council are to meet on 10 November to decide how to react.The remaining members of the existing advisory council are to meet on 10 November to decide how to react.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says many support Prof Nutt, but they are trying to formulate a collective response.BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says many support Prof Nutt, but they are trying to formulate a collective response.