Controversial scientist to speak in Oxford and Abingdon

10.11.00am GMT Tue 16th Feb 2010

Controversial scientist, Professor David Nutt, the drugs adviser sacked by the Home Secretary Alan Johnson for publicly criticising Government policy on the classification of ecstasy and cannabis, is speaking at public meetings in Abingdon and Oxford this week.

Prof Nutt, the former Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, has been invited by local Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris, and will tell the full story about how he came to be sacked, why he thinks the Government has got its drugs policy all wrong, and what the future is for academic freedom of scientists.

Dr Harris, who spoke up for Prof Nutt in Parliament, said, "When Alan Johnson dismissed Professor Nutt, after he had also been bullied by Jacqui Smith when she was Home Secretary, it triggered 5 resignations from the Drugs Advisory Council which is now paralysed, and a crisis of confidence in the Government's treatment of independent science advisers, which has still not been resolved.

"As well as a leading authority on drug harms, David is a superb speaker and says it as he sees it. The meeting is well worth turning up to whichever view you take on drugs policy," said Dr Harris.

Prof Nutt is speaking at Cosener's House in Abbey Close, Abingdon on Sunday 21st February at 4pm and in Oxford, at St Giles Church Hall, Woodstock Road, at 6pm. All are welcome.

Science is expected to be a key issue ion the forthcoming election not least in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency which contains all the University research labs as well as the science campuses at Harwell and Culham.