KENNEDY: HARRY COULD PROMPT DRUG DEBATE

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy hopes revelations about Prince
Harry's experimentation with cannabis will kick-start a sensible debate
about decriminalising the drug. Mr Kennedy said the story was "all too
typical" of what was happening in modern Britain and there were parents
across the country who would have had similar experiences.

He added that the publicity surrounding the revelations should prompt a
"rational, mature debate" about softening cannabis laws.

It has emerged that Prince Charles sent Harry to a drug rehabilitation
clinic for a day last year - in order to shock him - after he admitted
taking cannabis.

The prince - third in line to the throne - had also drunk heavily at a
local pub, according to press reports.

Mr Kennedy told GMTV's The Sunday Programme: "Clearly there is a case to be
looked at on decriminalisation when you now have so many judicial figures,
senior police figures and politicians saying there is.

Taboo

"Whilst this is serious, this story today, that does put it in some
context. If this helps move forward a rational, mature debate about these
issues, I would very much welcome that.

"We are beginning to see that kind of rational debate, and when you see the
Royal family being touched just like everybody else is, in one way I think
good can come out of this setback for Harry.

"Households right across the country waking up to this story today will
probably either have had very similar experiences with their own teenagers,
or live in the apprehension that they might.

"The situation seems to have been taken under control very sensibly in a
family way."

Mr Kennedy has repeatedly argued for an open debate on cannabis and says
that such an important issue should not be taboo.

He wants a Royal Commission to examine the issue.

The call for a commission has been Lib Dem policy for many years after
being passed at the party's annual conference in 1997.