Second drugs adviser quits post
A second adviser to the government has resigned in protest at Home Secretary Alan Johnson’s sacking of his chief drugs adviser, Prof David Nutt. Marion Walker’s departure from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) followed the earlier resignation of Dr Les King.
3. November 2009
Dr King said he would like to see the ACMD become an independent body, free from the government’s influence.
Mr Johnson said Prof Nutt was sacked for "crossing a line" into politics.
On Sunday, Prof Nutt revealed Ms Walker, ACMD member from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, had stepped down. However, she could not be reached for comment. I’m not going to say just how many I think might resign but there is an extremely angry feeling among most council members Dr Les King
Ms Walker is clinical director of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s substance misuse service.
Prof Nutt said her departure "means we have no-one now looking at that vast group of people who prescribe drugs and advise people about drugs, drug harms from the over-the-counter and prescription side".
The BBC understands that several other members of the ACMD, who are unpaid for their work on the council, are considering their positions, in response to Prof Nutt’s dismissal.
Prof Nutt was sacked after calling cannabis less harmful than alcohol and nicotine, and saying it was upgraded to Class B for political reasons.
’Angry feeling’
The reclassification had been "on the whim of the prime minister", he claimed.
Scientific advisers should advise; ministers should then make decisions based on that advice... This sorry lot can’t even get that right
BBC Online, Steve, Fordingbridge, UK
