Vernon Coaker

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Vernon Rodney Coaker (born June 17, 1953, London) is the Labour Member of Parliament for Gedling, Nottinghamshire, in the United Kingdom. He is a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office.He originally won the seat in the 1997 election, defeating Andrew Mitchell. He became a government whip, serving as Lord Commissioner in the House of Commons, in May 2005 having been as assistant whip since June 2003. Before entering Parliament, he worked as a teacher and local councillor, and plays an active role in education debates. He is also keen on environmental and animal welfare issues. Prior to joining the government he served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

Shortly after being appointed Minister for Drugs & Crime Reduction in the May 2006 reshuffle, he revealed to the Coventry Evening Telegraph that, as a student, he had smoked marijuana. This provoked some controversy owing to his new responsibilities.

Vernon Coaker is married and has two children.