Michael Howard slates Pete Doherty

Conservative leader Michael Howard has slated ex Libertines frontman Pete Doherty for "making drugs look cool."

The Tory frontman's comments came as he launched a policy proposal of tougher sentences for drug dealers.

"Just think about it. Here you have a man who takes drugs and gets locked up, yet ends up on the front pages," said Howard of Doherty.

"I think many parents will have been rather surprised by the celebrity coverage given to Pete Doherty over the last month.

"More than ever, we need responsible role models for our children, professional athletes prepared to say drugs are wrong, popstars willing to say drugs aren't cool, actors who make clear that drugs ruin lives."