'Weekend drugs are not OK'

A high-ranking Scotland Yard officer has issued an extraordinary attack on the Lambeth police chief who suggested "weekend" use of cocaine and ecstasy was a low priority.

Chief Superintendent Simon Humphrey, the head of the Yard's Clubs and Vice Unit, has accused Brian Paddick of undermining Met drugs policy and frontline efforts against drugs in London.

In a letter to the Evening Standard Mr Humphrey, a former borough commander, says: "I wish to disassociate myself and my officers from the widely publicised comments of Commander Brian Paddick...His views totally contradict and undermine Metropolitan Police and ACPO [ Association of Chief Police Officers] policy and he should be reminded that first and foremost Class A drugs kill."

Mr Humphrey described the comments as "inaccurate and irrelevant to the wider professional debate on drug misuse".

Mr Paddick, who introduced the softly-softly approach to cannabis possession in Brixton, made his remarks to a meeting of the home affairs select committee on Tuesday.

Stressing that he was not speaking in his official capacity, he told MPs many people used small amounts of cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy bought with money earned legitimately - many just at weekends. "As an operational police officer they are low down on my priority list," he said.

Such a public and bitter row between two senior police officers is almost unprecedented and reflects the strength of feeling among many over the comments made by Mr Paddick.

He was hauled before Commissioner Sir John Stevens yesterday and was told his duty was to uphold Met policy on drugs. But his job as borough commander of Lambeth is said to be safe at present and he has denied reports he is stepping down next year.