Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate, Rob Blackie, has accused Sadiq Khan of “suppressing” the findings of the Drugs Commission, following reports that it will now not report back until the end of 2024.

According to a FOI request made by Blackie, the Drugs Commission was on track to deliver by the end of 2023 or early 2024 at the latest. This would mean its findings would be published ahead of the London elections in May 2024.

The report was expected to advise on how the Met Police should treat offences relating to cannabis.

Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate, Rob Blackie, said:

“It is deeply cynical of the Mayor to kick the Drugs Commission report into the long grass and beyond the next election. We know the Commission is ready to publish soon, so he is effectively suppressing its findings.

“The Met Police are wasting huge amounts of time dealing with cannabis-related offences. Precious time that could be spent on tackling serious and violent crime, like rape and other sexual offences.

“The Mayor must release the Drug Commission’s findings before the election so that Londoners can have an open and informed debate about the role of the police in handling drug offences.”