Police commander who wrote anti-drugs strategy ‘took LSD and magic mushrooms’

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mark Ley-Morgan KC, representing the Metropolitan Police, told the tribunal in Southwark, south London: “In about mid-October 2019 Sheila Gomes moved into the officer’s flat, staying until about Christmas 2019. “On July 17 2020 she telephoned the Metropolitan Police to record that Commander Bennett had been smoking cannabis before work.” Ms Gomes told the hearing the flat was “like an Amsterdam coffee shop” because of the officer’s alleged activities. The hearing was told the allegations about him taking magic mushrooms on holiday in France and LSD at a party are “hearsay” that Ms Gomes was told by a housemate of hers and the officer’s. Mr Ley-Morgan said Mr Bennett’s explanation for not providing a sample was “nonsensical” as it would have come up with a much lower reading if it was not being used recreationally.