Health workers at a drug consumption room could be charged with manslaughter if someone died the UK minister for policing has said.

Kit Malthouse made the claim at the UK deaths summit in Glasgow.

Despite saying he came to Glasgow with an “open mind” he said that a consumption room as argued for by Glasgow City Council and the health board would not help reduce drug deaths or deal with the harm form drugs.

READ MORE Drug room ruled out as Goverment says No

Instead, Mr Malthouse focused on a law and order approach tackling the supply of drugs while also saying new and innovative treatment had to be considered.

He said: “We have to think carefully about what we’re doing.

“Don’t underestimate the difficulties legally. How do you protect medical profession legally from manslaughter.

“People are reaching for something that feels like they can flick a switch and it will change. It won’t do that.”

READ MORE: Council rules out more rehab beds

At the Scottish Drug Conference yesterday at the SEC the arguments for a safer drug consumption room was made by health board and council officials and politicians.

Dr Saket Priyadarshi said he couldn’t see any arguments against it. And councillor Mhairi Hunter said no city was more ready that Glasgow to trial one.

It was also noted that no-one had died from an overdose in any of the around 150 drug consumption rooms operating in other countries around the world.

Mr Malthouse however, said: “It is not on the table at the moment. No. There’s lots more we can do. Adding “I’m open minded. I’m anxious not to get into a squabble.”