MO ADMITS DRUG CONFESSION LED TO CABINET FRICTION

British Cabinet Office minister and former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam yesterday disclosed that her recent admission that she once took drugs had caused friction with ministerial colleagues.

Dr Mowlam -- attending an international drugs forum in London -- said she believed her disclosure that she had tried cannabis in her student days actually helped her in dealing with people in her role as the government's anti drugs co-ordinator.

However, she admitted that when it came to some of her colleagues in the cabinet, it was a different matter.

``It is difficult because some agree with me and some don't, but that's politics,'' she told reporters.  ``I have talked to the Prime Minister, but I think it is better if I leave it at that''.

Dr Mowlam made no reference to her controversial admission during her 15 minute address to delegates at the conference organised by the Mentor Foundation, which works to prevent drug abuse by young people.

However, she did back research into the medical uses of cannabis for dealing with diseases such as multiple sclerosis -- although she stressed that she was not calling for the drug to be legalised.

Talking to reporters afterwards she said she believed that it had been essential for her to be honest about her own past experiment with cannabis.  ``Honesty is important on any subject and I think that being clear and honest with people shows they can trust you on what you say,'' she said.