Pubdate: Mon, 17 Jan 2000
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: Telegraph Group Limited 2000
Contact: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk
Website: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

GRASS ROOTS SUPPORT

Mo, Mo, how you misjudged us. asked by one of our journalists before
the last election whether you had ever smoked dope, you replied "No,
no, no, not for Telegraph readers." A curious formulation, that. It
is as though everyone else would be happy for politicians to have
rolled up at one time or another, but, The Daily Telegraph inhabits a
world where such things are unimaginable.

Well, Mo, we'll let you in one something. we may be more
conservative than some newspapers, but we are not pharisees. We
recognise that many people who attended university, when you did, or
later, have tried soft drugs. The law of averages dictates that
several MPs, in all parties, will at least have inhaled cannabis. No
one would suggest that this makes them incapable of carrying out their
duties. Your position, of course, is a little special. As the
minister in charge of the Government's anti--drugs campaign, you must
assume a higher profile on this issue than your colleagues. But it is
hardly as though you were still getting stoned. the fact that you
have personal knowledge of the matters whereof you speak is, if
anything, a recommendation.

We have had our differences in the past. We shall probably never see
eye to eye on how to bring lasting peace to Northern Ireland. But, on
this, we are happy to give you our undiluted support against calls for
your resignation. And when your colleagues are now asked about their
youthful experiences with drugs, they should reply, as Paddy Ashdown
does: "mind your own business".