POT STARS IMAGE UP IN SMOKE

3:46pm Tuesday 27th March 2001

DRUG agencies have condemned Bromley's biggest teen pop idol for sending out the wrong message after he was arrested while smoking cannabis in a London street.

S Club 7 member Jon Lee, 19, from Hayes was arrested with two other band members, Bradley McIntosh, 18, and Paul Cattermole, 24, for possession of cannabis while they were in Covent Garden.

Amid claims that the drugs incident was just a media stunt to push pop rivals Hear'Say off the front pages, drug agencies and Jon Lee's MP Eric Forth have all rounded on the teen idol for his actions. Bromley's Drug Action Team Co-ordinator, Colin Newman thought the trio were letting their young fans down.

The borough's drug tsar said: “Getting off with a caution does not make it a laughing matter. It will create an atmosphere where taking drugs is acceptable. Cannabis is quite a powerful drug and it has implications for those around it even if they are not taking it.

“If this is a media stunt it is very cynical.”

Bromley Drugs Project manager, Peter Burkenshaw joined the chorus of disapproval over the pot smoking trio's actions. He said: “They are projecting the perception that there are no risks and it is a harmless drug.”

Mr Forth said the way Croydon born Lee had flaunted the law in public was “pushing his luck”.

“The law as it stands says possession of cannabis is illegal. Maybe they think they can get away with something like this because of who they are. It is one thing to do this privately, but it is quite another to do it publicly.”

It is alleged that the three were picked up by police who smelt the drug as they walked past the pop stars.

The trio were given a formal caution at Charing Cross police station and released last Tuesday, March 21.

A police spokesman said all three had admitted the offence.

The band, who have had two number one singles and two TV series, trade on their squeaky-clean image and have an army of young fans all over the world.

In a press statement, the trio said: “We have been very stupid we know we have made a mistake and we are very sorry for it.”

A spokesman added: “ The band are gutted, they rate their fans very highly and they know they have let a lot of people down.”

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