David Sumberg MEP
Date:
18/12/01
SHAME OF LIB DEM
MEP
Letter
to the media
The
arrest of the Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies in Stockport on December 15
for possession of cannabis was a crass act of self publicity for which he should
be ashamed.
I
was present the day before Chris's arrest when he announced to a meeting of the
Association of Greater Manchester Authorities in Stockport - with considerable
pride - that he was going to get himself arrested.
I
was taken aback by his statement and his actions since are nothing short of
disgraceful.
The
law cannot be treated as a game just to boost one's media profile. Chris revels
in media attention and is no stranger to courting controversy in the press. As
he well knows being outrageous will always attract column inches. But his latest
publicity stunt is beyond the pale.
His
flippant disregard for the law sets an appalling example to young people and
undermines the credibility of politicians as people who make the law.
There
is a debate to be had on drugs law particularly regarding the medical use of
cannabis. But Chris has gone about raising the issue the wrong way with this
pathetic stunt.
Moreover
he has also wasted police time. The Assistant Chief Constable of Greater
Manchester Police Med Hughes said: 'It would be better if MEPs occupied
themselves in the law making institutions for which they are paid rather than
distracting police officers from their important work.
'I
suggest politicians who have the privilege of access to those institutions focus
on changing such laws if that is their aim.'
I
hope Chris now sees that his stunt has backfired and his standing in the eyes of
the public has diminished greatly.
All
publicity is not good publicity Chris - especially when you treat the law with
such contempt.