Were staff suspended for eating poppyseed cakes?

A number of Herefordshire highway workers failed drugs tests after a social event.

Around a dozen people are understood to have failed the tests after the event, to which staff who previously worked for the county’s main public realm contractor Balford Beatty were invited by new county contractor M Group.

M Group said it is investigating a “small number of test results” following the event.

An M Group spokesperson said: “Safety is always our number one priority and drug and alcohol testing is a routine activity to ensure the highest standards.

“Following the event there were a small number of test results which we are investigating.”

They added: “Positive tests can sometimes be the result of prescription medication.”

A suggestion had been made that, at the event, poppy-seed cakes were served.

Poppy seeds can lead to “false positives” in tests for opiates, which are either derived from opium poppies or are chemically similar to them.

But an M Group spokesperson said they could not confirm the results were due to poppy seeds.

In a further comment, M Group said nobody had been suspended for consuming poppy seeds – although they did not deny that this was a line of enquiry.

Coun Dan Hurcomb, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet member for local engagement and community resilience has overseen the switch to the county’s new public realm contract, which gives more control and oversight back to the council.

He said: “We are aware of reports relating to routine drug and alcohol testing carried out by M Group on their staff. The matter is being managed by M Group as it relates to their employees and procedures.

“We remain in contact while the matter is investigated to ensure there is no disruption to the safe delivery of public realm services to residents in Herefordshire.”

He added: “As this is an ongoing employment matter, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”