Professor David Nutt was sacked by the Home Secretary for criticising the Government on Drugs Policy.

I would like to state by opinion after having worked as a Forensic Scientist in the implementation of the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971).

A Scientific Adviser advises by stating his point of view. The final decision is made by the Minister or Cabinet after looking at the bigger picture which includes the scientific viewpoint. A scientific adviser is responsible to the minster who had appointed him. The Government is responsible to the Parliament and to the electorate eventually.

The Scientific Adviser can disclose is viewpoint to the public BUT, he does not criticise or comment on Government policy. That is the basic tenet of scientist or scientific adviser dealing with Government. He is only an advisor not a Cabinet minister or governor.

In my opinion, David Nutt was right to state his opinion based on the scientific viewpoint but he pushed it too far when he commented on Government policy.

Dr Michael Oon