Quote of the day

"I think the scientific evidence is absolutely clear cut. I would agree with it".

Professor John Beddington, chief science adviser to the government, backs the view of Professor David Nutt, ex chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, that cannabis is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.

The Lib Dems' Chris Huhne asked the pertinent question in the wake of Nutt's sacking by Home Secretary Alan Johnson on Friday: "What is the point of having independent scientific advice if as soon as you get some advice that you don't like, you sack the person who has given it to you?" Quite a contrast from the Tories' position, shadow home secretary Chris Grayling tarring Nutt's comments as his "latest ill-judged contribution to the debate". Doesn't seem like there's much debate going on from where I'm standing - the government are stubbornly maintaining a stance in the face of the scientific evidence.