Oral Answers to Questions

Steve McCabe Excerpts

Tuesday 15th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Clarke]

We have been looking at practically every aspect of policy in our first weeks in office, but we are not rushing to readdress the categorisation of drugs and we are going to ensure that scientific advice on this subject is treated properly, objectively and in the public interest. Any views that my hon. Friend wishes to put forward on the workings of the present system will be carefully considered by myself and my team of Ministers.

[Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that the recent spectacle of Roy Whiting exploiting British taxpayers to demand a reduction in his sentence is an abuse of justice and an insult to the memory of Sarah Payne?

[Mr Blunt]

The important principle to establish here is judicial independence. I think we should therefore respect the decisions that judges come to on these matters.