Gove challenged on cocaine use as laughing gas banned

Michael Gove was challenged over his own history of cocaine use as he revealed plans to ban laughing gas on the streets of Britain.

- ADAM FORREST

The levelling up secretary said Rishi Sunak's government would ban the sale of nitrous oxide, also known as "hippy crack", to stop public places being turned into drug-taking "arenas". But Mr Gove - who has admitted taking cocaine on several occasions in the past - was challenged on his own drug use on Sky News politics show Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

Asked if he was being "hypocritical", Mr Gove said: "No. It's because I've learnt that it's a mistake - worse than a mistake - to regard drug-taking as somehow acceptable." He added: "We can't have a situation where our parks, our public spaces, become drug-taking arenas... these laughing-gas canisters are an increasing scourge."

Mr Gove said the use of laughing gas was "despoiling public spaces" but also that the drug "can have a psychological and neurological effect, and one that contributes to antisocial behaviour overall". The levelling up secretary said ministers had not yet decided on the appropriate drug classification level for laughing gas.

The ban comes in spite of a recommendation by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs not to make the drug illegal.