Government's drug policy in turmoil
The Government's drugs advisory panel is in turmoil after the Home Secretary angered scientists by dismissing the committee's chairman.
One prominent member has announced his resignation - and more are predicted - in protest at Alan Johnson's decision to axe Professor David Nutt after he criticised the Government's drugs policy.
Dr Les King said Home Secretary Alan Johnson had denied Prof Nutt his right to free speech and called for the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to become truly independent from politicians.
Prof Nutt told the BBC a second member, pharmacist Marion Walker, had also resigned, although she was not available for comment and the Home Office could not confirm if her resignation had been received.
Dr King said the Government's attitude to the panel has shifted and home secretaries now had a "pre-defined political agenda" when they asked for its expert advice.
"It's being asked to rubber stamp a pre-determined position," he said. "If sufficient members do resign, the committee will no longer be able to operate."
Dr King worked for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) for 30 years and spent 10 years as head of the Drugs Intelligence Unit before his retirement in 2001.
He believes the panel needs to become "free from Government interference" in the same way as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice), the organisation which advises on medicines and clinical practice. "I don't see why drugs can't be done the same," he said. "It can be totally depoliticised."
He added: "He (Prof Nutt) may be an advisor but he's still got the right to say what he likes. That was being denied."
Mr Johnson told Sky News: "You cannot have a chief advisor at the same time stepping into the public field and campaigning against Government decisions. You can do one or the other, you can't do both."
