Prime minister backs sacking of David Nutt over drug comments

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 14:00

GORDON BROWN today gave his public backing to the decision to sack the government's top advisor on drugs.

The Prime Minister told police and council workers in Shoreditch that David Nutt's comments sent out "mixed messages" about drugs.

He said the government could not risk sounding like it was condoning the experimental use of cannabis, as this could lead to more becoming addicted to hard drugs.

Professor Nutt was dismissed as chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs by Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, on Friday, after publishing views on the relative harm caused by illegal drugs and alcohol.

"Advisers advise and ministers have to make decisions, he said.

"I think Alan Johnson made the right decision because we cannot send mixed messages.

"Scientific advice is very important and we value it. You can see that with swine flu, with climate change and with all sorts of environmental problems.

"But advisers advise and ministers have to make decisions.

"In the interests of the public we have to show we are tough on drug dealing and the problems that drugs are causing in our communities."

He added: "We cannot send out a message to young people that it's OK to experiment with drugs and to move on to hard drugs. We have to send out a message to young people that it's simply not acceptable."

Mr Brown said young people needed to be protected from dangerous new strains of "adulterated" cannabis.

He went on: "I think the issue here is we did have advice that we should not reclassify cannabis. We did not accept that.

"We have to take a broader view in the round that was more than just the scientific advice. It's about the effects on young people that drugs are harmful and not acceptable."