CAMERON & THE DRUG DEALER; Tory contender fails to report approach from a pusher.

Byline: EXCLUSIVE By OONAGH BLACKMAN Political Editor

DAVID Cameron failed to shop a pusher who offered him "every drug under the sun".

The Old Etonian Tory leadership contender, 39, was a backbench MP investigating whether the war on drugs was working when he revealed he had not reported a prolific dealer.

He told fellow members of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee: "I happen to live off the Portobello Road and when I walk down the Portobello Road sometimes after a late night's voting at the House of Commons, I am offered every drug under the sun by the same dealer."

Shocked by the admission in January 2002, one of the committee's expert witnesses suggested he give the dealer's details to Fred Broughton, head of the Police Federation, who was also being quizzed by the committee.

David Raynes, of the National Drug Prevention Alliance, said: "You could give Mr Broughton his name?" But Mr Cameron did not respond to that.

Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, said last night: "Anyone offered drugs in the street should report the matter."

Mr Cameron also suggested the war on drugs had been lost and called for radical alternatives. In other committee sessions he seemed angry at the reluctance of GPs to prescribe heroin substitutes and called the 1971 decision to criminalise the drug "disastrous".

The Tory will not say if he has taken Class A drugs but has told of a relative who fought to kick heroin.

Mr Cameron said yesterday: "Drugs policy under all governments has been a monumental failure. We need some new approaches." His spokesman said: "David played a very active part on the committee. Politicians have to confront difficult problems."

As Tory members begin casting their votes, Mr Cameron's rival David Davis savaged his "heir of Blair" image. Ex-Chancellor Ken Clarke said he would probably back him but wanted to know "what makes him tick".