Iain Duncan Smith criticises drugs caution for George Michael
Conservative MP and former party leader Iain Duncan Smith has criticised the Metropolitan Police for not prosecuting George Michael for drugs offences.
Pop star George Michael was arrested in a public toilet in Hampstead on Friday and later cautioned for possession of Class A and Class C drugs.
The 45-year-old’s latest brush with the law happened after a suspicious toilet attendant called police.
Mr Duncan Smith told ConservativeHome.com:
“If, as we are led to believe that George Michael was caught with class A and B drugs on him, then he should be prosecuted, after all it isn’t the first time.
“However, the decision not to prosecute George Michael sends the signal to the public that if you are a celebrity in London you come under a different set of laws to everyone else.
“It also sends a powerful and destructive message to young people who admire George Michael, that drugs are fine, there is no penalty if you take them.
“After all didn’t the Met let Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse off as well?
“The Metropolitan Police seem to be making this up as they go along.
“The Centre for Social Justice’s Breakthrough Britain report showed that in Holland and Sweden where they have much clearer and tougher laws, everyone gets treated the same and the result is that there are no mixed messages and they have proportionately far fewer drug abusers than the UK.
“At war with each other in the hierarchy, mired in controversy over the Menezes shooting, beset with accusations and counter accusations about race and corruption and lacking any firm leadership, this last decision by the Met will leave many Londoners asking what has happened to a once proud force that was, years ago, a byword the world over for quality policing.”
Mr Michael has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Throughout 2006 and 2007, he was regularly in the headlines over various drug-related incidents.
He was cautioned twice for possessing cannabis when he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car on two separate occasions.
In January publisher HarperCollins announced they have secured the rights to an autobiography by Mr Michael.
Although neither publisher nor publicist would reveal how much the star is being paid for the book, industry watchers said it was certain to be millions of pounds.
