Drugs found in John Reid's home

Defence secretary John Reid

Saturday, 29, Apr 2006 12:00

Police have found a small amount of cannabis during a routine check at the Scottish home of defence secretary John Reid.

Weighing at less than one gram, Strathclyde police said the cannabis resin was found in a guest room. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the find.

A spokesman for the MP for Airdrie and Shotts said Mr Reid has no idea where the drugs came from. According to media reports, sources close to the MP have confirmed that he does not use cannabis.

No police action is expected to be taken over the fine and Mr Reid is "not suspected of having committed any crime or offence", the police said.

Assistant chief constable John Corrigan said: "I can confirm that we have investigated the discovery of a small piece of cannabis resin in a guest room of a house within the force area.

"The substance found weighed less than one gram with a street value of approximately 85p."

Mr Reid has previously held the posts of health secretary, Scottish secretary, Northern Ireland secretary and leader of the House of Commons.

The latest reports bring further bad press to Tony Blair's government. Home secretary Charles Clarke has admitted to blunders over the release of over 1,000 foreign prisoners while deputy prime minister John Prescott has admitted to having an affair.