Drugs Minister banned from talking about pot — as hubby runs giant cannabis farm
Conservative MP Victoria Atkins has been left red-faced after failing to mention her husband Paul Kenward's involvement with Britain's largest cannabis farm when she was appointed drugs Minister last November
DRUGS Minister Victoria Atkins has been banned from talking about marijuana for the Government because her husband runs a giant cannabis farm.
Ms Atkins is married to Paul Kenward, who is managing director of British Sugar.
The company grows marijuana in Wissington, Norfolk, under a licence from her department the Home Office. The crops are being used in an epilepsy drug in the US.
It emerged Ms Atkins, who began her job last November, failed to mention her husband’s involvement in cannabis growing in MPs’ interests.
Guidelines say family interests should be declared if relevant to a ministerial responsibility.
Steve Moore, of drug policy think-tank Volteface, said: “We have the ridiculous situation of the drugs minister being unable to speak in Parliament or make decisions on one of the most important parts of her job.”
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Mr Kenward’s licence was issued in 2016 before his wife became a minister.
Ms Atkins has been a staunch opponent of legalising cannabis and, as a barrister, prosecuted drug offenders.
The Home Office said she had “voluntarily recused herself from policy or decisions relating to cannabis”.
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