'Crystal meth makes me work better,' says German MP Michael Hartmann

The SPD politician admitted to taking the drug to 'improve performance'

Michael Hartmann stepped down as the SPD’s parliamentary spokesman for interior affairs following the allegations last week but is still an MP (HeideKohler/Wikimedia Commons )

A prominent German politician has admitted taking crystal meth – but said he did it to be better at his job.

Michael Hartmann, the interior policy expert for the Social Democratic Party (SPD), admitted to using the drug for about a month, The Local reported.

His lawyer said on Wednesday that 51-year-old Hartmann had hoped the substance would “improve performance” at work.

The lawyer said his client bought and consumed a small amount of crystal meth in autumn 2013, but had not been addicted to it

Police searched the home of Hartmann in a drugs probe last week after the MP was allegedly observed buying drugs, according to Bild.

But investigators confirmed that they found no illegal substances in his private apartment.

Hartmann, from Mainz, has previously publicly opposed the use of cannabis.

He stepped down as the SPD’s parliamentary spokesman for interior affairs following the allegations last week but is still an MP.

An investigation is ongoing.