Ex-justice minister Crispin Blunt guilty of possessing illegal drugs

Crispin Blunt, a former Conservative MP and minister of justice, has admitted to possessing illegal substances including cannabis and crystal meth. The 65-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to four drug-related charges. These charges stem from a police raid conducted at his Surrey residence in October 2023.

During the search, officers discovered various illegal drugs in Blunt’s possession, namely the sedative GBL, cannabis, methamphetamine, and methylamphetamine, better known as crystal meth. He is scheduled to receive his sentence later on Wednesday. Blunt had served as the Member of Parliament for Reigate from 1997 until 2024.

At the time the drugs were uncovered, Blunt was also under police investigation for suspected rape. However, Surrey Police decided in May of the previous year not to pursue charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence after an 18-month inquiry. Blunt had expressed confidence that no charges would be forthcoming. Despite this, Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS special crime division, confirmed there was enough evidence to bring the drug possession case to court.

Blunt, who once held the position of parliamentary under-secretary of state for prisons and youth justice in David Cameron’s government from 2010 to 2012, also chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee between 2015 and 2017. After his arrest in October 2023, he was stripped of the Conservative whip and sat as an independent member. Before entering politics, he served over ten years as an officer in the British Army and is a graduate of the Sandhurst Military Academy. He decided not to seek re-election and stood down at the 2024 general election

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