A Tory councillor who runs his own firm selling "jolly lollies" containing hemp oil, was banned from this year's Conservative Party conference, it has been revealed.

Chris Jackman, of Oakwood Drive, Billericay, is still leading the fight to legalise cannabis for medicinal purposes and claims more than 80 per cent of Tories agree.

The councillor for Wickford Park, who says he is a cannabis expert, carried out research at last year's conference into the legalisation of cannabis. He says he is unsure why he was banned from this year's conference, but says he will still continue to press the issue.

He said: "I am still waiting for an explanation. I think it was wrong of them not to give me a reason. I am democratically elected. I just had my money and tickets returned, but I went anyway. I went to some fringe meetings."

A spokesman for the Conservative Party head office refused to comment.

Published Tuesday October 15, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo