POLICE CHIEF FACES GRILLING OVER CANNABIS CLAIMS

A leading policeman is gearing up for his second confrontation in a week
with the head of Scotland Yard.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner is to review allegations that Brian
Paddick shared at least cannabis 100 joints with a former boyfriend.

It's claimed Mr Paddick, who pioneered a "softly-softly" approach to
cannabis in Brixton, allowed James Renolleau to take the drug at their
London flat.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Authority said: "The MPA is
assessing the information contained in the newspaper story and will
consider any other material that comes to light.

"This will be subject to review by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner."

Last Monday, Mr Paddick was summoned to meet Metropolitan Police
Commissioner after his comments on an internet website saying he found the
concept of anarchy "attractive" caused a furore.

Mr Paddick subsequently refused to say whether his views had been
misrepresented, saying that he and the Commissioner had agreed that they
would not discuss the remarks publicly.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Scotland Yard would not comment until
its investigations into the drugs claims had been carried out.

However, he added: "If a senior police officer was found to be taking
illegal substances they would be on the way to losing their job."

Mr Paddick, Britain's most senior openly gay policeman, denies the claims.