Johnson called in for questioning on Nutt sacking
Thursday, 5 November 2009 6:21 PM
By Ian Dunt
Alan Johnson has been asked to give his account of the events leading up to the sacking of Professor David Nutt by an influential committee of MPs.
In a harshly-worded letter, Phil Willis, chair of the science and technology committee, demanded proof from the home secretary that Prof Nutt had breached any part of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' (ACMD) code of practice.
"As you will know, the science and technology committee. [has] examined and reported on the use of scientific evidence by government," the letter reads.
"In that report we recommended that members of scientific advisory committees 'should not be criticised for publishing scientific papers or making statements as professionals, independent of their role as government advisers'," it continues.
"It was precisely for this reason that the government chief scientific advisor wrote to then-home secretary Jacqui Smith to express concern over her criticism, in parliament, of Prof Nutt with regard to an article he published in a peer-reviewed journal."
The letter is the surest sign yet that Mr Johnson has not seen the end of the controversy created by his decision to sack Prof Nutt from his position as head of the ACMD following several comments claiming ecstasy was less dangerous than alcohol or horse riding.
Prof Nutt has also been asked to respond to the committee, as has Professor Beddington, the government's chief scientific advisor.
Mr Johnson will also have to face down a meeting of the remaining members of the ACMD, which could see the group unilaterally resign en masse if he fails to satisfy their concerns on the role of scientific advisors.
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