Sacking threatens drug panel future
Mass resignations have been predicted from the country's drugs advisory panel in protest at Alan Johnson's decision to axe its chairman for criticising the Government's policy.
At least two members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) have quit since Professor David Nutt was sacked by the Home Secretary on Friday in a row that is threatening the panel's future.
Writing in the Times, the professor warned more of the remaining 28 members could leave, saying: "It seems unlikely that any 'true' scientist will be able to work for this, or future, home secretaries.
"My sacking has cast a huge shadow over the relationship of science to policy. Several of the science experts from the ACMD have resigned in protest and it seems likely that many others will follow suit.
"This means the Home Office no longer has a functioning advisory group, which is very unfortunate given the ever-increasing problems of drugs and the emergence of new ones."
Fellow panel member Dr Les King resigned on Sunday, saying Mr Johnson had denied Prof Nutt his right to free speech and called for the advisory panel to become truly independent from politicians.
A second member, pharmacist Marion Walker, is also understood to have quit.
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."
Writing in the Guardian, Mr Johnson again explained his rationale for the sacking. He said: "Professor Nutt was not sacked for his views, which I respect but disagree with. He was asked to go because he cannot be both a Government adviser and a campaigner against Government policy."
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