CRITICISM OVER DRUG ADVISER'S SECOND JOB

THE Government's drugs adviser was criticised last night for taking a
second job as a part-time director with a UKP300 million property company.

Keith Hellawell, who earns UKP102,000 a year as drugs co-ordinator, is
joining Evans of Leeds as a non-executive director. The former Chief
Constable of West Yorkshire will get UKP15,750 plus travel expenses for 12
days' work a year.

John Bell, managing director of the company, said that Mr Hellawell was a
widely respected figure in Yorkshire and the North East. "Non-executive
directors bring their general experience to the boardroom. They are there
to assist the executive directors."

Mr Hellawell would be expected to attend six board meetings and work
another six days during the year.

The Cabinet Office said that the directorship was not considered
incompatible with Mr Hellawell's drugs work.

However, James Clappison, a Shadow Home Affairs spokesman, said the job of
drugs adviser needed full-time commitment, adding: "I question whether this
is a distraction."

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski