Crispin Blunt, the former Conservative MP for Reigate who served as a justice minister under David Cameron and later chaired the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, has been charged with four drugs offences by the Crown Prosecution Service. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 March 2026. The charges follow a police attendance at his home address in Horley, Surrey, on 25 October 2023.
Below we set out the charges, what they mean in law, and what sentence Blunt could face if convicted.
What Are the Charges Against Crispin Blunt?
The Crown Prosecution Service has charged Blunt with four counts of drug possession:
Count 1 — Possession of a Class A controlled drug: methylamphetamine (crystal meth)
Count 2 — Possession of a Class B controlled drug: GBL (gamma-butyrolactone)
Count 3 — Possession of a Class B controlled drug: cannabis
Count 4 — Possession of a Class B controlled drug: amphetamine
These are possession offences under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 — not supply charges. The distinction is significant for sentencing purposes.
Background: Who Is Crispin Blunt?
Crispin Blunt, 65, represented Reigate in Surrey as a Conservative MP from 1997 to 2024. He served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice between 2010 and 2012, with responsibility for prisons and probation — making the current proceedings particularly notable. He later chaired the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee from 2015 to 2017. He did not seek re-election at the 2024 general election.
The police attended his home in Horley in October 2023. Surrey Police had been investigating a separate matter — an allegation of rape — but concluded that investigation in May 2025 with no further action, citing insufficient evidence. The drug charges arise from the October 2023 police attendance independently of that investigation.
What Sentence Does Possession of Class A Drugs Carry?
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, possession of a Class A drug carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. Class A drugs include heroin, cocaine, MDMA, LSD — and methylamphetamine (crystal meth), the substance Blunt is alleged to have possessed.
In practice, simple possession of a Class A drug for personal use by a first-time offender rarely results in imprisonment. The Sentencing Council’s guidelines direct courts to consider whether the offender is a drug user who has committed the offence to feed their own habit, and to explore community disposal options including drug treatment orders, fines, and conditional discharges. A custodial sentence for personal possession alone is unusual unless there is a prior criminal record or aggravating factors.
What Sentence Does Possession of Class B Drugs Carry?
Possession of a Class B drug — which includes GBL, cannabis, and amphetamine — carries a maximum of five years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) is a Class B drug which converts to GHB in the body; it has been linked to drug-facilitated sexual assault. Cannabis and amphetamine are also Class B.
Again, for personal possession, courts typically deal with Class B matters by way of fine, conditional discharge, or community order for a first offender. The Sentencing Council categorises possession offences by quantity and offender role, and at the lower end of the scale — small amounts for personal use — custody is rarely the starting point.
Where Will the Case Be Heard?
Blunt will make his first appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 March 2026. Possession of controlled drugs is a triable-either-way offence — it can be heard in the Magistrates’ Court or committed to the Crown Court. Given that the charges are possession (not supply), it is likely the matter will remain in the Magistrates’ Court unless Blunt elects Crown Court trial or the magistrates decline jurisdiction.
Magistrates dealing with a Class A possession charge are limited to a maximum of six months’ custody (or 12 months for two or more either-way offences). At the Crown Court the full seven-year maximum applies. Blunt has not yet entered a plea.
Is It Unusual for an Ex-MP to Face Drug Charges?
MPs and former MPs are not immune from criminal prosecution. The House of Commons Library maintains a record of sitting and former Members imprisoned since 1945; the list is relatively short but includes convictions for fraud, sexual offences, perverting the course of justice, and road traffic offences. Drug possession charges against a former minister — particularly one who held specific responsibility for prisons and probation policy — are, however, rare.
The case will be watched closely given Blunt’s past role overseeing drug treatment policy inside the prison system. It proceeds independently of his parliamentary record; there are no special procedures, immunity provisions, or legal protections for former MPs facing criminal charges in the ordinary courts.
What Happens at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 March?
At the first hearing on 25 March 2026, the court will formally put the charges to Blunt and invite him to enter a plea. If he pleads guilty, the case can proceed to sentencing — either immediately or after a pre-sentence report. If he pleads not guilty, directions will be given for either a summary trial in the Magistrates’ Court or committal to the Crown Court. The hearing will be open to the public and press.
