LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's government minister in charge of combating illegal drugs admitted on Thursday to smoking cannabis as a young woman.

Caroline Flint, 41, told BBC radio that she had tried the drug more than 20 years ago, but did not like it. She said its illegal status had "acted as a brake."

Flint, tasked with fighting the spread of Class A hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin, is also set to oversee the downgrading of cannabis from Class B to Class C, planned for next year.

The Home Office said Home Secretary David Blunkett was well aware of the situation and fully supported her.

"She gave an honest answer to a straight question," said a spokeswoman.

"She was appointed to this job, because she was the best person for the job," she said. "She fully supports the government drug policy and that cannabis should remain illegal."

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