Somali group praise for MP’s khat battle

MP Mark Lancaster has been honoured for his fight to ban the drug Khat.

The member for Milton Keynes North was praised for his efforts by Milton Keynes Somali Association last week.

Khat is a shrub which contains cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant, which is said to cause excitement, loss of appetite and euphoria.

It is widely used by people from the Horn of Africa including Somalia.

Mr Lancaster has spoken numerous times over the past three years in the House of Common asking for the drug to be banned in the UK.

In Milton Keynes, the drug is known to have caused many problems including social and family breakdown and damaged the health of users.

Mr Lancaster was honoured at the MK Somali Association’s inaugral meeting last Thursday night.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “I didn’t expect to receive an award for just doing my job. I continue to be committed to fighting for a ban on khat on behalf of my constituents and the Somali Community.”

Abukar Awaleh, Head of Somali Diaspora UK, added: “I am very impressed with the fantastic work Mark Lancaster is doing for minority communities and we are ever so grateful to him for being the voice to a voiceless community and problem.”

miltonkeynes.co.uk