David Sumberg MEP
Date: 29/10/2002
Shame of Lib Dem MEP
I am appalled that the North West Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies had the audacity to claim legal aid during his trial for possession of cannabis – despite the fact he earns 55,000 pounds a year.
In total it is estimated that Mr Davies’s crass act of self publicity – he forced police to arrest him by turning up outside a police station with cannabis stuck to a postage stamp - has cost the taxpayer 10,000 pounds.
Moreover the whole procedure has wasted 105 police hours and led to a lengthy and expensive succession of court hearings before he was finally fined 100 pounds and told to pay costs.
As a fellow North West MEP I believe Mr Davies’s flippant disregard for the law has set an appalling example to young people and he has undermined the credibility of politicians as people who make the law.
I wholeheartedly agree with the judge who criticised the “flagrant and provocative” way he used his arrest to publicise his views.
There is a debate to be had on drugs law particularly regarding the medical use of cannabis. But Mr Davies has gone about raising the issue the wrong way with this pathetic and cynical stunt.
As the Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Med Hughes said at the times of Mr Davies's arrest: '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 Mr Davies 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 show such a lack of respect to the law and taxpayers money.