Javid told ‘grant drug clinic or devolve powers’

UK home secretary Sajid Javid has been accused of putting “party political dogma ahead of people’s lives” with his refusal to allow a safe injecting room to be set up in Scotland’s largest city.

Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewlis begged the Tory government minister to come to Glasgow.

There is cross-party support for a centre to be set up where addicts can use drugs in a supervised environment, but the Home Office has so far refused to grant permission.

Delegates at the SNP annual conference backed a motion saying the UK government should give its approval or devolve the necessary powers to Holyrood to do so.