'Cannabis John' backs Prescott and Clarke

guardian: Defence Secretary John Reid backed two of his embattled colleagues as he hit the campaign trail for the local elections.

Mr Reid dismissed calls for John Prescott and Charles Clarke to resign but conceded the recent headlines surrounding his colleagues had not come at a good time, adding: "I don't think any of this helps."

Referring to the Deputy Prime Minister's affair, Mr Reid said it was a "private matter" and Mr Prescott and his wife should be given time to sort it out.

Commenting on Mr Clarke, he added: "In Charles Clarke's case, Charles has already been a big enough man to take responsibility for what has gone wrong and to say therefore he feels the obligation to make sure he puts it right. I think that is an honourable position." Read more

db: Perhaps the defence sec smokes weed. Perhaps he doesn't. His lack of clarity regarding policy in Afghanistan suggests the former. So do the eyes.