Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael raised the case of MS sufferer Biz Ivol's forthcoming prosecution at Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons this week.

Mr Carmichael said: "Does the Prime Minister really believe that the war against drugs will be won by making a criminal of a 54-year-old woman who has led an otherwise blameless life and who is now confined to a wheelchair? When will the Government act to legalise the medicinal use of cannabis and bring an end to the nonsense of prosecutions such as the one facing my constituent?"

The Prime Minister responded: "I understand the concerns that the honourable Gentleman raises and those of his constituent. As he probably knows, we are currently reviewing the issue of cannabis and people with diseases such as multiple sclerosis."

"We are not yet in a position to state the findings of that review, but we are giving it urgent consideration. We understand that there is potentially a distinction between those who need cannabis for medicinal purposes and those who do not. I am sure that people will take a sympathetic view of the position of the honourable Gentleman's constituent, although that must remain a matter for the authorities, not the Government."