POLICE CONDEMN 'CANNABIS' MEPS

Police have condemned two Euro MPs after they were arrested as part of a
protest over cannabis laws.

North West MEP Chris Davies was held when he turned up on the steps of
Stockport police station in Greater Manchester with a tiny amount of the drug.

He has been followed by Italian MEP Marco Cappato, who was also arrested
for possessing cannabis.

Now, one of Greater Manchester's leading police officers has accused the
pair of being "publicity-seeking politicians."

Assistant Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes said: "Perhaps it would be better
if politicians who wish to change the law used their access to political
institutions and focused their protests at government level.

"The Police Service do not make the laws of this country.

"The Home Secretary David Blunkett has already signalled the appropriate
level of police response by placing cannabis into a less serious category
of prohibited drugs.

"Greater Manchester Police normally deal with personal possession matters
by way of caution and our policy is to focus our efforts on those who deal
in drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

'Avoid Politics'

"We are being diverted from our serious work by the antics of publicity
seeking politicians."

Mr Davies told BBC News Online: "Everybody understands the police are in a
difficult position but they should avoid straying into the political arena.

"Politicians are having to defend a ridiculous law which has resulted in
the arrest of millions of people who have done no harm to anybody."

Mr Davies began the protest in support of his constituent Colin Davies, who
opened a "cannabis" cafe in Stockport.

The Greater Manchester force has twice raided the "Dutch Experience Cafe",
which advocates the open use of cannabis.

A total of 18 people were arrested in the raids.

Colin Davies is on remand in Manchester's Strangeways prison for an
indefinite period.

His high court application for bail was refused on Thursday.

Mr Cappato, 30, a member of Italy's Radical Party, appeared before
magistrates on Friday was released on unconditional bail to appear at the
court on 29 January.