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We smoked pot, say UK ministers
19/07/2007 19:51 - (SA)
London - Britain's new finance minister, Alistair Darling, and interior minister, Jacqui Smith, both admitted on Thursday they smoked cannabis in their youth.
Two other ministers - Darling's number two at the Treasury, Andy Burnham and Britain's minister for policing, security and community safety, Tony McNulty - also owned up to having a puff when students.
The admissions came a day after Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced penalties for cannabis use could be tightened because of the dangers associated with stronger strains and growing police concern about gangs involved in the trade.
"Occasionally, in my youth," Darling said when asked if he had smoked cannabis.
Burnham said: "Once or twice at university, never since."
Smith, the minister responsible for policing, told Sky News: "I smoked cannabis a few times (at university). I think it was wrong," adding she had not taken any other drugs.
Smith was supported by McNulty who told BBC television that he had also tried cannabis while a student.
A personal issue
The prime minister has said on several occasions he has never taken illegal drugs. British media said Justice Minister Jack Straw and Foreign Secretary David Miliband had also denied any drug use.
Brown's spokesperson said it was a personal issue and the prime minister had no complaints about how ministers had responded.
"There is no Number 10 edict on this one way or another."
Brown said on Wednesday that Smith would be overseeing a review into whether smoking and possession of cannabis should become a more serious offence.
- Reuters
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