UK to review mephedrone legal status after overdoses

The legality of the drug mephedrone will be examined "very speedily, very carefully" following the deaths of two teenagers, Lord Mandelson has said.

The business secretary said the government would take "any action" needed to deal with the drug.

Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, died in Scunthorpe on Monday after taking the drug.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the deaths, including two men aged 26 and 20 and a boy of 17.

The Home Office said it would receive advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on 29 March.

The ACMD said its chairman, Professor Les Iverson, had discussed mephedrone with Home Secretary Alan Johnson, who had expressed "grave concern".

Elaine Smith, mother: "I don't think Nick saw it as a risk"

It said: "The council has been looking at the dangers of mephedrone, and the related cathinone compounds, as a priority."

According to BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw, a member of the ACMD, speaking anonymously, said he would be "very surprised" if the council did not make its decision at its next meeting in March.

The council will then report its recommendations to the home secretary.

The ACMD member said there was also "some understanding" of the science behind mephedrone, though it was "far from perfect".

[Thanks James!]