UK government drug advisor quits in protest

A prominent member of the British government’s drugs advisory panel has resigned in protest over the treatment of the committee’s chairman Professor David Nutt.

Dr Les King said British Home Secretary Alan Johnson had denied Prof Nutt his right to free speech when he called for his resignation.

Mr Johnson said he had “lost confidence” in Prof Nutt’s ability to give impartial advice after the chairman of the British Home Office’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs criticised the British government.

“He (Prof Nutt) may be an advisor but he’s still got the right to say what he likes. That was being denied,” Dr King said today.