TORIES PROTEST AT LIB DEM 'HARD DRUGS' JIBE

Tories tonight accused Liberal Democrat health spokesman Simon Hughes
of pulling "a cheap stunt" after he compared the rival Conservative
health team to hard drugs in his party conference speech.

Mr Hughes told delegates in Brighton during a debate on health: "There
are three Tory health spokespeople - Philip Hammond, who believes in
corporal punishment, Alan Duncan, who wants to legalise heroin to free
up the market, and the blessed Ann, a well-known convert to
Catholicism."

To laughter, he went on: "We have given them nicknames just to help
you - Philip Hammond - Smack; Alan Duncan - Crack; and the blessed Ann
- - Ecstasy."

But Shadow Health Secretary Ann Widdecombe immediately hit back,
saying in a statement: "This is a cheap Liberal stunt which
trivialises the problem of hard drugs.

"On this issue, I agree with Paddy Ashdown who said yesterday that
Simon Hughes was 'a bit overtired' and not paying attention." She
added: "This was a comment to generate a cheap laugh but the real joke
is Mr Hughes' apparent lack of serious ideas on health."

Mr Hughes later told PA News: "Oh dear. I thought Ann had a sense
of humour."

Checked-by: Patrick Henry