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Cameron defiant over drug claims Cameron defiant over drug claims
(40 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has refused to deny claims he smoked cannabis while he was a pupil at Eton College 25 years ago.Conservative leader David Cameron has refused to deny claims he smoked cannabis while he was a pupil at Eton College 25 years ago.
Mr Cameron, 40, admitted he had done things in his past he "should not have done", but insisted politicians were entitled to a "private past".Mr Cameron, 40, admitted he had done things in his past he "should not have done", but insisted politicians were entitled to a "private past".
The book, serialised in the Independent on Sunday, says Mr Cameron was one of several boys caught smoking cannabis.The book, serialised in the Independent on Sunday, says Mr Cameron was one of several boys caught smoking cannabis.
Mr Cameron, who was aged 15, confessed and was grounded.Mr Cameron, who was aged 15, confessed and was grounded.
Some of the other boys were expelled.Some of the other boys were expelled.
Speaking outside his home on Sunday morning Mr Cameron said: "Like many people I did things when I was young that I should not have done, and that I regret.Speaking outside his home on Sunday morning Mr Cameron said: "Like many people I did things when I was young that I should not have done, and that I regret.
"But I do believe that politicians are entitled to a past that is private, and that remains private, so I won't be making any commentary on what is in the newspapers today.""But I do believe that politicians are entitled to a past that is private, and that remains private, so I won't be making any commentary on what is in the newspapers today."
A Conservative Party spokesman said: "David has always maintained politicians have a right to a private life before they come into politics."A Conservative Party spokesman said: "David has always maintained politicians have a right to a private life before they come into politics."
He pointed out that the alleged incident happened almost 25 years ago.He pointed out that the alleged incident happened almost 25 years ago.
HonestyHonesty
Shadow chancellor and close Cameron ally George Osborne said he suspected "the public don't really care".Shadow chancellor and close Cameron ally George Osborne said he suspected "the public don't really care".
He argued Mr Cameron had maintained a "consistent position" on an "important principle" of figures in public life being allowed to have had a private past.He argued Mr Cameron had maintained a "consistent position" on an "important principle" of figures in public life being allowed to have had a private past.
"David Cameron has made tackling the drug problem one of the big themes of his leadership," he added."David Cameron has made tackling the drug problem one of the big themes of his leadership," he added.
The book - Cameron, The Rise Of The New Conservative - will also be serialised in the Mail on Sunday next month.The book - Cameron, The Rise Of The New Conservative - will also be serialised in the Mail on Sunday next month.
Both papers report that school authorities called the police to investigate drug use among the pupils.Both papers report that school authorities called the police to investigate drug use among the pupils.
On the whole I've always thought that it was better to be pretty honest about things Lord TebbitFormer Conservative chairmanOn the whole I've always thought that it was better to be pretty honest about things Lord TebbitFormer Conservative chairman
Because he had smoked cannabis and not sold it, Mr Cameron was not expelled or suspended like several other boys, the book alleges.Because he had smoked cannabis and not sold it, Mr Cameron was not expelled or suspended like several other boys, the book alleges.
Instead, he was fined, grounded for two weeks and given the school's traditional punishment of a "Georgic" - copying out hundreds of lines of Latin poetry, according to the book.Instead, he was fined, grounded for two weeks and given the school's traditional punishment of a "Georgic" - copying out hundreds of lines of Latin poetry, according to the book.
Throughout his leadership campaign in 2005, Mr Cameron declined to answer questions about drug taking when they were put to candidates.Throughout his leadership campaign in 2005, Mr Cameron declined to answer questions about drug taking when they were put to candidates.
He repeatedly stressed he had a right to a private past and refused to answer them.He repeatedly stressed he had a right to a private past and refused to answer them.
Mr Cameron was initially asked at a fringe meeting at the 2005 Conservative party conference if he had ever taken drugs.Mr Cameron was initially asked at a fringe meeting at the 2005 Conservative party conference if he had ever taken drugs.
HAVE YOUR SAY I really don't think someone getting told off while a schoolboy is particularly newsworthy Jason Hood, Nottingham Send us your comments He told the meeting he had had a "typical student experience", later adding: "I did lots of things before I came into politics which I shouldn't have done. We all did."HAVE YOUR SAY I really don't think someone getting told off while a schoolboy is particularly newsworthy Jason Hood, Nottingham Send us your comments He told the meeting he had had a "typical student experience", later adding: "I did lots of things before I came into politics which I shouldn't have done. We all did."
Later that same year on BBC One's Question Time, he said everybody was allowed to "err and stray" in their past.Later that same year on BBC One's Question Time, he said everybody was allowed to "err and stray" in their past.
Former Conservative Party chairman Lord Tebbit told BBC News 24 the claims would not do Mr Cameron much good with Tory activists.Former Conservative Party chairman Lord Tebbit told BBC News 24 the claims would not do Mr Cameron much good with Tory activists.
"On the whole, I've always thought that it was better to be pretty honest about things," he said."On the whole, I've always thought that it was better to be pretty honest about things," he said.
"Because, sooner or later the truth of the matter tends to come out, and it's always better to have brought it out yourself rather than have somebody else bring it out.""Because, sooner or later the truth of the matter tends to come out, and it's always better to have brought it out yourself rather than have somebody else bring it out."
Conservative spokesman on Rural Affairs, Peter Ainsworth, said he saw little relevance in the story.
"I frankly don't give a monkey's... it's simply not relevant to what we're doing today with the Conservative Party or to British politics."
He later told BBC News 24: "It's not the sort of story you necessarily want to come out but on the other hand it's something that happened to a schoolboy 25 years ago.
"Most people looking at this and being fair minded people will think 'yes, it's not something I'd be proud of if I'd done or my son had done but there it is, it's a long time a go and people make mistakes'."
Last month, Mr Cameron said he opposed making cannabis legal but would be "relaxed" about legalising it for medicinal use if there was evidence of its health benefits.Last month, Mr Cameron said he opposed making cannabis legal but would be "relaxed" about legalising it for medicinal use if there was evidence of its health benefits.