Bankers' cocaine use fuelled financial crisis, says drug adviser

clock

Former top drugs adviser to the government David Nutt has made a controversial claim that the financial crisis was caused by bankers' habitual use of cocaine, the Telegraph reports.

Nutt said cocaine overuse made bankers "overconfident" and caused them to take more risks, leading not only to the most recent crisis, but also the collapse of Barings bank in 1995. He said cocaine was part of the City's "culture of excitement and drive". The Telegraph quotes him saying: "Bankers use cocaine and got us into this terrible mess. It is a ‘more' drug". Nutt has made many a controversial claim about drugs and was fired as the government's most senior drug advisor in 2009, after saying there was "not much difference" between the harm caused by horse riding and taking ecs...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

Schroders becomes first to adopt all four SDR labels

Schroders becomes first to adopt all four SDR labels

Includes 'Sustainability Mixed Goals' label

Linus Uhlig
clock 27 January 2025 • 1 min read
Two convicted over role in £1.5m fake crypto investment fraud

Two convicted over role in £1.5m fake crypto investment fraud

Retrial set for a third individual

Jen Frost
clock 08 November 2024 • 2 min read
FCA urged to add ethical funds SDR label

FCA urged to add ethical funds SDR label

'We will carry on lobbying to try and change the rules'

Cristian Angeloni
clock 07 October 2024 • 1 min read