BBC Question Time: Stephen Kinnock took drugs during 'Second Summer of Love'

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock has confessed to taking drugs in the ‘Second Summer of Love’ during his appearance on BBC’s Question Time.

Welsh nationalist leader Adam Price also admitted to using illegal substances in the 1990s.

Stephen said he indulged in drugs during the ‘Second Summer of Love’, when MDMA-fuelled raves took place across the UK.

He said: “I also was part of – as Adam [Price] referred to – what some called the Second Summer of Love in the early 1990s, house music and raves. So that’s my confession.

“I agree that the war on drugs is being lost and it has been lost for a very very long time and I think it’s causing tremendous disruption in society and heartbreak.

“Look at the county lines, look at the knife crime epidemic – so much of that relates back to the illicit activity around drugs.

“I think we’ve got to look very closely at the Portugal example. There was a tremendous heroin problem there and they took a health-based approach rather than a punishment and criminal justice-based approach.”

The politician said the Portuguese example led to a drop in drug prices and cut gangs out of the trade.

The Labour MP said the war on drugs had failed
(Image: BBC)

Stephen said he also smoked marijuana at school
(Image: BBC)

Stephen, whose father once served as leader of the party, admitted he smoked marijuana at school.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: “The war on drugs that has been raging for 50 years has failed.

“As a gay man who first went clubbing in the 1990s it would be a bit of a surprise if I hadn’t taken drugs. I’m not saying I’m proud of that but I’m not going to lie about it either.

“15 million people in this country have taken illegal drugs of sorts. Prohibition has failed and it’s failed in the most miserable way possible.”