MP SORRY FOR PILLS ‘ERROR’
A WELSH MP has apologised after he asked a constituent for a drug only available on prescription.
Byron Long, a constituent of Labour MP Stephen Doughty, claimed to the Mail on Sunday to have first approached the Cardiff South and Penarth MP over a housing issue.
He claimed he had since given him up to 140 diazepam pills during up to 20 meetings at a Cardiff coffee shop.
The Labour MP has strongly denied Mr Long’s version of events, saying he had been “good personal friends with Byron Long for many years” and that he only asked for “a few spare diazepam”.
Possession of Class C drug diazepam, without a prescription, carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
A spokeswoman for Mr Doughty said: “Stephen has spoken openly about his own struggles about mental health. He is sad to have to reveal personal medical information in these circumstances – but feels that others talking about their mental health experiences can help destigmatise the challenges so many people go through. He has been prescribed medication over the last 12 years on a number of occasions, including diazepam, to deal with panic attacks and anxiety disorder, alongside talking therapies.
“Stephen had been good personal friends with Byron Long for many years and they regularly met for coffee, food and discussions about a range of issues, ranging from family, to politics, and their shared fondness for cats.
“Stephen had personally assisted Byron as a friend through some difficult periods in his recent life, which Mr Long had profusely thanked him for on many occasions, and he regularly checked in on his well-being. He had also supported and encouraged Byron with local voluntary work – such as campaigning with Mind and the local St Vincent de Paul shop.
“Stephen and his office had also assisted Mr Long for many years dating back to 2013, as a constituent, on multiple issues he had requested formal assistance on. He and his team have spent a considerable amount of time assisting him, as they would do any other constituent, to the best of their abilities.
“Stephen categorically denies having obtained 140 diazepam tablets from Mr Long,” she added. “He has never had that many in his life and is aware that their use should be limited for example for a short period of acute anxiety. His regular meetings with Byron consisted of tea, coffee, cake and chat between two friends.
“In summer 2019 Stephen was due to take a long overseas flight and was suffering last minute and unexpected panic attacks about the upcoming journey, which had made him extremely uncomfortable and distressed.
“To the best of his recollection, at the time he was panicking, had been unable to get to a GP for an appointment, and as a friend who he regularly shared confidential personal mental health worries and anxieties with, asked Byron if he had a few spare diazepam, which he had previously been prescribed for such circumstances, and taken without any issues.
“Stephen apologises unreservedly for any error he made in making this request, which was to a friend who he had shared many highly personal, trusted and mutually supportive conversations with about mental health over many years. In the event Stephen subsequently cancelled his trip – and did not need medication.”
The Mail on Sunday printed what it said was an exchange of messages between Mr Long and Mr Doughty, who is a member of the Labour front bench,
Allegedly, Mr Doughty invited Mr Long to his home to meet his new cat, adding: “PS, do you have any spare diazepam by any chance? I haven’t been able to get to GP and need some for flying next week! X.”
Mr Long replied: “Of course 7 ok 5 mg.”
Mr Doughty allegedly responded: “That would be brill but only if they are spares!!”
In the Mail article Mr Long alleges that he felt that Mr Doughty would be more willing to help with his housing problems following the exchanges.
The spokeswoman for Mr Doughty also denied there was any link between the supplying of pills and helping Mr Long with his housing issues.