Gareth Thomas, MP for Clwyd West

Meanwhile, an MEP who supports his view has been arrested by police during a pro-cannabis demonstration.

Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies was detained by police during a protest outside Stockport police station in Manchester in support of man who tried to set up a Dutch-style cannabis cafe in the city.

Mr Davies, who represents northwest England, turned himself in when he was in possession of a small quantity of the illegal drug.

He said he had never used illegal drugs, but expressed support for Mr Brunstrom's stance.

He said: "I think it is very appropriate we are standing outside a police station the day after the Chief Constable of North Wales Police called for the legalisation of all drugs."

Mr Brunstrom has been at pains to deny he is making an outright call for illicit drugs to be legalised.

MEP arrested at pro-cannabis demo

He maintains police resources are not winning the so-called war on drugs and that a Royal Commission should look at all the options available in a re-think of drugs policy, and that should include legalisation.

But MP Garteth Thomas said he wondered what suggestions the chief constable had, in view of the fact that an international UN convention outlawed drugs and insisted on criminal penalties on those who supplied them