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Drug experts' warning to Johnson Drug experts' warning to Johnson
(40 minutes later)
More colleagues of the government chief drugs adviser sacked by Alan Johnson have hinted that they could resign. Colleagues of the government drugs adviser sacked by Alan Johnson say they have "serious concerns" about his decision and whether they can continue.
The home secretary will face MPs' questions later on his decision to remove Professor David Nutt over comments on cannabis policy. Two drugs advisory panel members quit in protest when Prof David Nutt was fired for comments on cannabis policy.
Two members of the drugs advisory council have already quit and others have written to him urging a meeting. The home secretary faces MPs' questions about Prof Nutt, who, he says, crossed a line between advice and campaigning.
They say a "majority" of the panel have "serious concerns" and question whether they can continue in "good conscience". Other members have asked to meet Mr Johnson and some question whether they can continue in "good conscience".
Prof Nutt was sacked on Friday after using a lecture to say that cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and tobacco. Prof Nutt, chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was sacked on Friday after using a lecture to say that cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and tobacco.
Majority 'concerned'
He also said it had been upgraded to Class B - against the council's advice - for political reasons. Earlier in the year he had suggested that taking ecstasy was no more dangerous than horse riding.He also said it had been upgraded to Class B - against the council's advice - for political reasons. Earlier in the year he had suggested that taking ecstasy was no more dangerous than horse riding.
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 fired?
Mr Johnson said he had crossed a line between advice and campaigning, but Prof Nutt said "true" scientists were unlikely now to work for Mr Johnson.Mr Johnson said he had crossed a line between advice and campaigning, but Prof Nutt said "true" scientists were unlikely now to work for Mr Johnson.
The letter sent by the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs to Mr Johnson says the removal of Prof Nutt raises for some members "matters of such seriousness as to raise the question whether they can, in good conscience, continue on the council". 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 class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7181">Send us your comments class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/2009/11/why_was_david_nutt_sacked.html">Easton: Why was Nutt fired?
It adds: "There is a consensus amongst members that a face-to-face discussion is the correct and proper forum to take these matters further. The letter sent by the advisory council says that while not all remaining 28 members have been reached "it is clear that a majority of the council have serious concerns" about Prof Nutt's dismissal and the future of the advisory council.
"We will therefore continue as per the last two days and avoid discussion with the media, insofar as we can persuade members to comply. It says the case has "brought to the fore wider and pre-existing concerns amongst members about the role and treatment of the council".
"This will be all the easier to maintain if the Home Office avoids actions and statements that appear to pre-judge the outcome of our meeting " "For some members these matters are of such seriousness as to raise the question whether they can, in good conscience, continue on the council.
At 1530 GMT, the Conservatives will ask in the Commons about the future of the panel. "In this situation members wish for clarity and assurances about how the ministers view the council's advice and will view the council's advice in the future."
The letter seeks a "face-to-face discussion" with Mr Johnson and urges Mr Johnson to avoid "actions and statements that appear to pre-judge the outcome of our meeting".
'Rubber stamp'
In the next half hour Mr Johnson is set to face MPs when the Conservatives ask in the Commons about the future of the panel.
Writing in the Guardian, the home secretary said Prof Nutt had not been sacked for his views "which I respect but disagree with" but because "he cannot be both a government adviser and a campaigner against government policy".Writing in the Guardian, the home secretary said Prof Nutt had not been sacked for his views "which I respect but disagree with" but because "he cannot be both a government adviser and a campaigner against government policy".
Mr Johnson added: "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."
Prof Nutt chaired the council for 18 months - making scientific recommendations to ministers on how to classify banned drugs, based on the harm they can cause.Prof Nutt chaired the council for 18 months - making scientific recommendations to ministers on how to classify banned drugs, based on the harm they can cause.
'Rubber stamp' Any minister who hides away from scientific advisers who are saying clearly what the scientific evidence shows is frankly going to end up with policy which is a complete mess Chris HuhneLiberal Democrats
Fellow advisory council member Dr Les King resigned in protest on Sunday. Another panel member, pharmacist Marion Walker, has also resigned.Fellow advisory council member Dr Les King resigned in protest on Sunday. Another panel member, pharmacist Marion Walker, has also resigned.
Dr King told the BBC he did not think the panel could continue. He said ministers had used the council as "a rubber stamp, as a poodle, by coming to the advisory council with a pre-determined agenda about drug classification".Dr King told the BBC he did not think the panel could continue. He said ministers had used the council as "a rubber stamp, as a poodle, by coming to the advisory council with a pre-determined agenda about drug classification".
The remaining 28 members had been due to meet on 10 November to decide how to respond.
Any minister who hides away from scientific advisers who are saying clearly what the scientific evidence shows is frankly going to end up with policy which is a complete mess Chris HuhneLiberal Democrats
Former home secretary Charles Clarke said he believed the row dated back to 2007 when Gordon Brown became prime minister.Former home secretary Charles Clarke said he believed the row dated back to 2007 when Gordon Brown became prime minister.
"The mistake was right at the beginning of his premiership, saying he was going to change the cannabis rules before the advisory committee had considered its position. I think that was an error," he told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme."The mistake was right at the beginning of his premiership, saying he was going to change the cannabis rules before the advisory committee had considered its position. I think that was an error," he told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Confidence in systemConfidence in system
The prime minister's spokesman said Mr Brown fully supported Mr Johnson but said Mr Brown had not been personally involved.The prime minister's spokesman said Mr Brown fully supported Mr Johnson but said Mr Brown had not been personally involved.
He also denied suggestions the government had a pre-determined view on the classification of cannabis and said it was "extremely supportive" of all its advisory bodies, and it would be "regrettable" if there were more resignations from the council.He also denied suggestions the government had a pre-determined view on the classification of cannabis and said it was "extremely supportive" of all its advisory bodies, and it would be "regrettable" if there were more resignations from the council.
David Cameron said the current classifications of drugs should remain unchangedDavid Cameron said the current classifications of drugs should remain unchanged
Conservative leader David Cameron said advisers should be able to give advice in a "clear and unvarnished way" but all people in the public eye had to think about the wider implications of what they said.Conservative leader David Cameron said advisers should be able to give advice in a "clear and unvarnished way" but all people in the public eye had to think about the wider implications of what they said.
"I don't think what Professor Nutt said about the respective merits of taking ecstasy and riding horses was a particularly good way of putting it," he added."I don't think what Professor Nutt said about the respective merits of taking ecstasy and riding horses was a particularly good way of putting it," he added.
But he added that if in government he would hope to avoid the "sort of unseemly spat we have seen over the last few days", with the home secretary "shouting on television".But he added that if in government he would hope to avoid the "sort of unseemly spat we have seen over the last few days", with the home secretary "shouting on television".
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said ministers had to "carry the can" but said policy must be based on evidence.Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said ministers had to "carry the can" but said policy must be based on evidence.
He told the BBC: "Any minister who hides away from scientific advisers who are saying clearly what the scientific evidence shows is frankly going to end up with policy which is a complete mess."He told the BBC: "Any minister who hides away from scientific advisers who are saying clearly what the scientific evidence shows is frankly going to end up with policy which is a complete mess."