December 21, 2001

Manchester Evening News

AN Italian Euro MP spent the night behind bars after taking part in a Stockport campaign to change Britain's cannabis law.

Marco Cappato had followed in the footsteps of Cheshire Euro MP Chris Davies by handing himself in at the town's police station while brandishing a small amount of the drug.

But the MEP, from Milan, was held overnight after he allegedly refused to sign his bail sheet.  He was due to appear before Stockport magistrates later today charged with possession of cannabis.

Moments earlier, north west MEP Chris Davies - who was arrested on Saturday - appeared at the magistrates court where he pleaded not guilty to cannabis possession.

Mr Davies, who opted to have his case heard before a jury, is campaigning in support of Colin Davies, owner of a Dutch-style cafe in the town who is in custody on drugs charges.

Chris Davies left the court to a round of applause from fellow protesters.

He said: "I will argue my case on the grounds that the laws should be proportionate.

"I'm very pleased to have the support of my colleague from the European parliament." Mr Cappato said: "The time has come for a trans-national campaign.

"I think this is a necessary, non-violent way of protesting for a change in the law.  It helps to make people understand how wrong the law is as it currently stands."