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Green Party leader Zack Polanski was forced to explain his plan to legalise “heroin and crack” as he was interrogated by BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg. She repeatedly demanded he explain whether the plan would encourage young people to take drugs – despite his attempts to change the subject. Mr Polanski also made the surprising admission that not only has he never taken drugs, but he has also never touched a drop of alcohol.

The left-wing leader said his party was on course to win the Gorton and Denton by-election on February 26. The seat was previously held by Labour, and it would be a huge blow to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer if Mr Polanski’s prediction came true. But the interview on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg took a different turn when the host asked about the Green Party plan to legalise all drugs.

Ms Kuenssberg asked: “So you do say you would legalise all drugs including ‘class A’ substances, heroin and crack. There are some health professionals who say that would be the right approach, but that’s not a united view.

“Isn’t there a real danger you send a message, particularly to young people, that the use of dangerous drugs is okay?”

Mr Polanski said: “Well first of all we could talk about alcohol which can sometimes be one of the most dangerous drugs, and actually we need a public health approach to that too.”

But the presenter refused to let him change the topic, saying: “We are talking about other drugs here, we’re not talking about alcohol. I’m just asking you, isn’t there a danger that you send a message to young people in particular, if you legalised all drugs, the message there says it’s okay to use drugs.”

Mr Polanski then talked about a comment made by Sir Keir Starmer when asked if he had ever taken drugs. Sir Keir said in 2022: “I had a good time when I was younger!”

The Green leader said: “Well the Prime Minister of his country by the way made a joke about taking drugs at university.”

He then went on to talk about policing in London, saying: “And what we see is this is very racialised, in fact often it is young black people who are stopped and searched in the street. Particularly in London.”

But Ms Kuenssberg turned the topic back to the Green police, asking: “But the question is, do you see that there might be a danger if you legalise, that it would send a message to young people that it is okay to take drugs?”

Mr Polanski replied: “I think the danger is happening right now, which is that we are pushing it into street corners and the black market.”

He then revealed that he has never had a drink. Asked if he had ever taken drugs, Mr Polanski said: “I’ve actually never taken a drug in my life, or even drunk alcohol. But I still don’t sit here as the fun police. I believe people should be able to do what they want to do. It just wasn’t for me.”

He continued: “I just grew up in a school where a lot of my friends were drinking and in fact taking drugs, and often it felt like someone needed to be sober … if anyone wants to do it and they are doing it safely, I’m really glad people are having a good time.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “Voters in Gorton and Denton face a clear choice: a strong local champion in Labour’s Angeliki Stogia or the extreme, divisive politics of Reform’s Matt Goodwin.

“If Zack Polanski thought the Greens had a chance in Gorton and Denton he wouldn’t have chickened out standing himself.

“A vote for the Greens or any party other than Labour just risks letting Reform’s toxic politics divide communities in Manchester. Don’t let that happen: vote Labour.”