Euro MPs face drug charges court case

Two Euro-MPs were due in court on drug charges today after they were arrested as part of two protests against Britain's laws on cannabis.

Liberal Democrat Chris Davies was arrested before Christmas after he led a march to Stockport police station allegedly carrying a tiny piece of cannabis stuck to the back of a postage stamp.

Italian MEP Marco Cappato was arrested days later after turning up at Stockport magistrates' court to support Davies, allegedly clutching a small amount of the drug.

Cappato, a member of Italy's Radical Party, spent the night behind bars following his arrest before being granted bail by magistrates in the town last month.

Both men had joined protesters campaigning for The Dutch Experience – Britain's first Amsterdam–style cannabis cafe – which was opened last year.

Its owner, Colin Davies, supports prescribing cannabis as a medicine and was remanded in custody in the hospital wing of Strangeways Prison last November on drugs charges.

Cappato and Davies, who represents the North West of England in the European Parliament, were due to appear at Stockport magistrates' court this morning.