MP David Clelland blasted over 'smokescreen'

Jun 21 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

A NORTH MP who fought the smoking ban has been slammed for failing to declare family links to a senior member of the tobacco lobby.

David Clelland, Labour MP for Tyne Bridge, has been a strong critic of Government plans to ban the display of cigarette packets in shops and newsagents as he believes it could lead to many shopkeepers losing business.

It has emerged Mr Clelland is the stepfather of Katharine Graham, campaign manager for the Tobacco Retailers Alliance, the group funded by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association, which has led calls against the ban.

But the politician says he didn’t mention the connection because he says the Tobacco Retailers Alliance’s opinion have had no bearing on his personal views.

Critics, however, have accused him of putting up a smokescreen and that the public should have been made aware of the connection.

Deborah Arnott, Director of Action on Smoking and Health, said: “It’s outrageous that David Clelland did not make clear that he had family links with the tobacco industry before he spoke so strongly in parliament against the government proposals to put tobacco displays out of sight.”

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, the group leading the call for a smoke free North East, agreed, saying: “I’ve argued my case with Mr Clelland on the health bill and it would have been useful to know about his family links to the tobacco industry beforehand.

“He should declare his interest . . . the Tobacco Alliance is just a front for an industry which kills its customers.

“My message to any MP is think about children’s health and that of future generations.”

The MP said he did not mention the link because he didn’t want to give the impression he was raising issues in Parliament because his stepdaughter worked for the Tobacco Retailers Alliance.

He said he has spoken to many shopkeepers in his constituency who fear they may have to close through loss of business if they are banned from displaying cigarettes.

He said: “I have spoken to the House and there is no need for me to register any interest in terms of my stepdaughter working for the Alliance, but if the Parliamentary Commission decide I should, then I will. I didn’t want to give the impression I was raising it because I’m related to Katherine Graham.

“I am not pro-smoking but I am pro-tolerance and have spoken out in particular for working men’s clubs and pubs, many of which have closed in the North.

He added: “So long as smoking is a legal practice, which I have to remind people of on a regular basis, I think we have to be tolerant.”

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