Tory MP reveals he uses poppers in attack of government's 'manifestly stupid' plan to criminalise drug

“I use poppers, I out myself as a popper user and would be directly affected by this legislation. I’m astonished to find it’s proposing to be banned and frankly so would I think many other gay men.”

The comments came during a debate about the Psychoactive Substances Bill, which proposes to outlaw the sale of poppers pending a further investigation.

It comes after Andy Burnham, the shadow home secretary, demanded Theresa May go further and scrap any proposals to change the legal standing of poppers.

He wrote in a letter to Ms May saying: "I remain concerned that your new position (to ban poppers pending further investigation) may well cause harm, particularly amongst the gay community. A ban on poppers, even if temporary, may result in poppers being sold ‘under the counter’, and users being driven underground to purchase poppers and thereby being exposed to new, more dangerous substances.

“It could also result in individuals facing prosecution and possible imprisonment. A temporary ban will cause widespread confusion amongst users about their legality, as well as having potentially serious and life changing consequences for individuals who continue to use them during the ban.

"I believe it would be better to have temporary exemption for poppers as opposed to a temporary ban whilst we await the conclusions and recommendations of the review.”

Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/579309/s/4d00e243/sc/13/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cnews0Cpolitics0Cconservative0C12110A7460CTory0EMP0Ereveals0Ehe0Euses0Epoppers0Ein0Eattack0Eof0Egovernments0Emanifestly0Estupid0Eplan0Eto0Ecriminalise0Edrug0Bhtml/story01.htm