London: Britain’s environment secretary acknowledged using cocaine on “several occasions” two decades ago, the latest politician hoping to become prime minister to reveal past drug use to circumvent negative headlines during what is expected to be a heated contest.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove, 51, told the Daily Mail using cocaine was a mistake and “something I deeply regret”, but he didn’t think it should exclude him from office, the newspaper reported Saturday. An upcoming biography of Gove includes the revelation of his drug use. Gove is just the latest Conservative Party candidate in the crowded race to replace Prime Minister Theresa May to acknowledge using illegal substances.
In recent days, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Times of London he drank a “cannabis lassi” in his youth while backpacking in India. International Development Secretary Rory Stewart told the Telegraph he smoked opium at a wedding in Iran 15 years ago.
May stepped down as party leader on Friday, conceding she had failed in her bid to withdraw the country from the European Union. She remains the PM and is leading the government in a caretaker capacity until her successor is chosen.
So far, 11 lawmakers have announced they plan to seek the post of Conservative Party leader. The party head that won the most recent poll serves as PM. Nominations for the Conservative’s leader close Monday afternoon.
