Drugs Minister defies Home Secretary’s order to criminalise khat as there is ‘no evidence of harm’
Daily Mail: “Mrs May is planning to categorise khat as a class C drug, which would make its importation, possession and supply a criminal offence. She last week rejected calls for a rethink from the Home Affairs Committee, whose chair, Labour MP Keith Vaz, has spoken of chewing khat in the past.
It argued there was no compelling evidence the drug was harmful – and police would risk ‘antagonism’ when targeting communities which use it.” Read the article: Theresa May faces revolt after rebel Lib Dem minister defies order to ban drug khat | Mail Online.
In Birmingham
Fears over response to khat ban
Birmingham Post: “The Home Secretary has rejected calls to rethink a planned ban on the drug khat…It follows warnings from MPs that there was no evidence the drug is harmful – and police will be forced to target specific immigrant communities if the drug is outlawed, risking “antagonism or friction”.
The West Midlands has the second highest concentration of people of Somali origin outside London, followed by Bristol, Greater Manchester and Leicester…The Commons Home Affairs Committee, which includes MPs David Winnick (Lab Walsall North) and Ian Austin (Lab Dudley North), had urged Ministers to rethink plans to classify khat as a class C drug, making the importation, possession and supply of khat a criminal offence.” Read the article: Fears over response to khat ban
In Sheffield
Anger over ‘khat’ ban
ITV News: “There is anger in Sheffield after confirmation that the Home Secretary will go ahead with a ban on the herbal stimulant ‘khat’.
Khat has been taken for social reasons in the Yemeni and Somalian communities in our region for many years and campaigners have accused Theresa May of setting out to destroy a culture.
But the government fears the UK is becoming a centre for a worldwide illegal trade in khat and today stood by its decision to make the amphetamine-like substance a Class C drug.” Find out more: Anger over ‘khat’ ban | ITV News.
And from the Police News
Khat will remain a banned substance
Police Oracle: “A drug that is popular with some Middle East and African communities in the UK will remain banned – despite concerns voiced by an influential group of MPs.
Home Secretary Theresa May accepted that the ban on khat was “finely balanced” – but said that the issues behind her decision were correct and she would not change her mind.” Read the full article: Khat will remain a banned substance | UK Police News – Police Oracle.
