British Conservative party leadership candidate Mr Michael Portillo is in fresh controversy after suggesting cannabis should be legalised.
The shadow chancellor, front-runner in the race to succeed Mr William Hague, is already on the defensive over his failure to declare speech fees which went to fund his constituency party.
Aides quickly insisted he had meant there was a strong case for debate rather than legalisation.
But he faces fresh questions over his judgment after saying on the eve of the first leadership poll that marijuana could be compared to alcohol and tobacco.
He told Conservatives in Finchley that they had to be "open to new thinking" and more in favour of "personal freedom" than Labour.
He told the Evening Standard: "People are clearly debating this question about whether marijuana should be legalised.
"I think a strong enough case has been made for legalisation on the basis that marijuana is a drug that can be compared with alcohol and tobacco - and on the basis that kids are buying these things, and buying them from people who are involved in a very dangerous drugs trade, simultaneously.
"We have to look at this and I would propose that the party sit down, take evidence and reach a conclusion. I hope that we will be seen, in doing that, as being a party that is open to new thinking."
Last week, when he appeared on the BBC1 Question Timeprogramme, Mr Portillo repeatedly refused to say whether he believed in legalisation, saying only the issue was "finely balanced".
PA