Burberry is the latest fashion company to sever ties with Kate Moss after photos allegedly showing the model taking cocaine were published in a newspaper.

Earlier on Wednesday Chanel said it has no plans to work with Ms Moss after her contract expires next month and on Tuesday the clothing store H&M dropped her as the face of a new advertising campaign.

Cosmetics group Coty has confirmed that Kate Moss will still be fronting their Rimmel brand.

Do you agree with H&M's decision? Is Kate Moss a good role model? Should her private life have an effect on her career?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Steve, England: Was H&M right to drop Kate Moss? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

I might not agree with the use of cocaine, but is Kate Moss really such a degenerate? As for a police investigation, have they not got better things to do with their time?
Tim Pepper, London

I find H&M's decision to be very unfair. Of course Kate Moss is not a good role model, but we have to keep in mind that she is a model. With that said, most models do take drugs of some sort to suppress their appetites, so they can maintain a petite figure. Why make an example of one model when there are many more out their who have addictions? She should have been put on probation. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance. This is a big faux pas which is going to linger in the modelling industry for a long time unfortunately.
Hassan Amidhozour, Tehran, Iran

I am shocked at the number of people who sympathise with Ms Moss or think that her behaviour is acceptable. If she was some kid off a council estate, you'd all be there, ready with a scaffold, a priest and a noose. Anyone else with a smack habit would lose their job and potentially their liberty as well. She has fuelled organised crime with the massive sums she has paid to dealers and her career and her credibility as a celebrity are compromised as a result. Sorry Kate. You made your bed. Now lie in it!
Michael, Portsmouth

It's a bit hypocritical of all the fashion houses to turn on Kate Moss. After all it's highly likely that those responsible for making this decision have or are using cocaine. At least Kate Moss is able to receive the rehab she needs without waiting which is more than someone living on a council estate can hope for. I wonder how many lawyers, judges, barristers, politicians and other professionals regularly use cocaine. I don't in any way advocate its use but if the law stands for one then it should stand for all, let's not have another hypocritical lamb to the slaughter media fest.
Reverend Brown, Northampton, Northants

There are always consequences for one's behaviour Veronica, Devon, UK

No sympathy for Kate Moss here. It doesn't matter if everyone else in her circle does it. They are all wrong and they all run the risk of being caught. We must think about the messages we send to our children by the way we respond to situations such as this. Kate Moss did something wrong and she got caught. Now, she must face the consequences, as eventually, there are always consequences for one's behaviour.
Veronica, Devon, UK

I am so surprised that one model can have so many lucrative contracts so it may be a good thing that she loses some so other model can have a chance.
Kenny Chin, Washington, England

I can't help but sympathise with Kate Moss, as the difference between Ms Moss and the majority of supermodels is that her drug-taking has been caught on film. Her behaviour makes her unsuitable to be cast as a role model, but it is sad that she has lost so much through someone making profit from her private and personal life. I expect she will have plenty of support from those who can see beyond this media craze and their assistance in her downfall.
Janet Lythe, Glenrothes

I'm not sure what worries me more about this story; the fact that our obsession with celebrity has warranted this level of coverage or the idiocy of all these people that seem so shocked that somebody in Kate Moss' position would do cocaine.
Andy, Liverpool

At this point the script dictates that Kate Moss turns around and gives all the tabloids exclusive interviews about 'my drug hell'. Good on her for refusing to play ball. She was harming no one and her private actions are none of our business.
Simon, London

It seems ridiculous to me that fashion labels would drop Moss on the basis of wanting to 'dissociate' themselves from drugs, but are perfectly fine with featuring skin-and-bone models that effectively promote eating disorders. If you really want to project an image that is positive to the young, do it wholeheartedly and not only selectively.
Gordon, New York, US

Kate Moss is being made the scapegoat of the whole industry Tito, Lisbon, Portugal

Kate Moss is being made the scapegoat of the whole industry. The fashion industry has encouraged the youth's party culture for years now, and drugs are a big part of that culture. Refusing to support Kate Moss in this situation only serves to expose their hypocrisy.
Tito, Lisbon, Portugal

I really feel sorry for Kate Moss. Even though I completely understand why companies have dropped her as their face I can't imagine what it would be like having "friends" who want to expose your flaws for a quick quid. If I was her, I would reassess her circle of friends.
Jane, London

I can't see why the fashion houses have dropped Kate for allegedly taking cocaine when they are happy to associate with her when she's pictured smoking a cigarette or drinking alcohol both of which are narcotics and both of which are far more easily available to youngsters than cocaine is.
Trudi, London, England

I don't blame the fashion companies for cancelling her contracts because she is a role model for children everywhere and they don't want to be associated with drug use. But, it is the fault of the media for exposing her. At the end of the day the majority of music, film and fashion stars take drugs. Just because she had taken drugs doesn't make it right for the papers to expose it.
Simon, London, England

People have known for years that Kate Moss has a drug problem. It's fun to party and to experiment - we've all done it - but I know my friends would step in if they thought I had a problem and I would do the same for them. It's just sad Kate and Pete don't seem to have anyone in this case willing to tell them if you're getting up to a line every day you got a problem.
Amy, Kuwait City

What about them openly promoting her skeletal/anorexic frame? Neil, Helensburgh, UK

All of these sponsors are happy to claim how horrified they are over her actions and what influence that will have over their (mainly) young customer base. What about them openly promoting her skeletal/anorexic frame? What kind of effect is that having on young girls?
Neil, Helensburgh, UK

If fashion companies stop using models who take drugs, perhaps we'll be spared all those images of impossible-to-compete-with skinny women. Hooray.
Ros, Sheffield, UK

I think the whole situation is just plain stupid. It is common knowledge that most people in the fashion game are or have abused drugs at one time or another. It is not cool, funny or clever and the more exposure we give someone like Moss, the more teenagers we will have following suit into a dangerous pastime. They see portrayed as soooo glamorous.
Brenda Baum, Moscow, Russia

I can't believe Rimmel is 'shocked and dismayed!' Every fashion house knows Kate took drugs and so did every paper for ages. I can't understand why there is such a fuss over Kate when in fact the fashion industry is the one to blame. They could have dropped Kate years ago. Why didn't they? That's the biggest scandal.
Hinkel, UK

I might not agree with the use of cocaine, but is Kate Moss really such a degenerate? As for a police investigation, have they not got better things to do with their time?
Tim Pepper, London

What sort of message are these companies sending to young people - that it is alright to take drugs when there's no publicity but when the knowledge is in the public domain they sack her - where's the compassion - where's the care - isn't it better to say if she manages to go into rehab and recover she can work with them again. That gives hope to young people - they may be more willing to admit that they need help if they feel there is some understanding. After all these companies have made a lot of money from Kate Moss's persona.
Jackie Butler, Corsham, Wiltshire

With this position comes responsibility Richard, Walsall, UK

Like it or not Kate Moss is a role model and she should recognise this. She is in a highly privileged position and paid handsomely. No one forced here there. With this position comes responsibility. If she has taken cocaine then she should be punished by what means her employers or that the state see fit, just like any other person.
Richard, Walsall, UK

Sure, many other people in 'high profile' jobs take drugs but they have not yet been fond out as such. Just because everybody is at it does not make it right. Snorting cocaine is an illegal act. I await to see if anything else comes of this.
Phil, USA/UK

Hmmm - lots of taking the high ground here and also the opposite view. Shame nobody has bothered to mention the impact all of this (from alleged drug taking to loss of income) will have on her 2 year old daughter...
Tony, London, UK

Why all this hype? She's only a model, pretty perhaps but there are many many young ladies who are younger and as beautiful. She's also overpaid and not worth the news print.
Brian M Keith, Ellesmere England

I think it's quite right that Miss Moss has been dropped by H&M. If any other member of society was caught as has been they also would have been sacked. Why do celebrities think they deserve special treatment?
Julie, Sutton, England

And the outcome of sacking her was...to make sure that "impressionable youngsters" think that snorting a couple of lines is definitely rebellious, and therefore definitely cool. Oh, and it also massively increased the media coverage, so now every "impressionable youngster" in the country will know about it. Good effort.
Rob, Swansea

These companies will drop her or not. This is their decision, based on whatever criteria they choose. They do not need to explain or justify to anyone, and nor does Kate Moss, except possibly the police who seem to have spied an opportunity for a bit of cheap publicity. I can see no other reason to publicise their intention to investigate.
Martin, High Wycombe, Bucks

She broke her contract, end of discussion Steve, London

I agree with H&M dropping Kate. She broke her contract, end of discussion. I'm horrified to hear, though, that a few hundred thousand pounds of my tax money will go on a police investigation into the photographs. What exactly will the country gain from that?
Steve, London

The hypocrisy of media and fashion industries! Do you realise how widespread the use of recreational drugs such as cocaine is among these people? I think you do.
Oksana, London

'If there was to be drug testing of celebs, you would find out a large number of the celebs would be dropped'. True but in my opinion they all deserve to be dropped. People who say she's only a model not a role model are completely wrong she may not have asked to be a role model but most celebrities will be role models for one person out there and therefore what she has done is unacceptable!
Kerry, Bristol

Its ridicules to even be devoting space to this. Are people's lives so boring? Scotland Yard involved. Who cares
Gerry, Dublin

As with most companies in the UK now, if you are found to use drugs whilst under contract they are well within their rights to terminate said contract. But as with all news in the UK it is made bigger than it should be.
Helen Warwick, Staffs, UK

I had a cool boyfriend and worked in TV when I was in my twenties. My boyfriend suggested I tried cocaine. Further encouragement, although not needed, was that cocaine is not addictive. I can say from bitter experience that this is probably the best thing that could have happened to her and those who think using cocaine implies a glamorous lifestyle are so far off the truth. Cocaine is a Class A and addictive drug. It destroys lives. There is nothing recreational about cocaine when you're addicted to it. H&M are absolutely right to take the action they have.
Withheld, London, UK

This is a witch hunt instigated and sustained by the media Lisa Burt, Isle of Wight

This is a witch hunt instigated and sustained by the media. It reminds me, column inch by column inch; of the experiences the press put Boy George through in the 80's. The press will only be satisfied when Kate is ditched by all her employers and her case has been dragged through the courts. Then the media will have rung the last drop of juice out of the story and will move on to the next 'big thing.' Addiction to any substance is a personal tragedy whether you're a role model or not. Kate's treatment in the press isn't helping anybody - except journalists prepared to do anything for a 'scoop'.
Lisa Burt, Isle of Wight

Kate Moss doesn't have a private life and if she wanted one she should have got a proper job. If she thinks it's cool to promote drugs to the young girls that idolise her then she should never be allowed to work again. If she is kept in work by H&M and Chanel then they are basically saying that it's okay to do cocaine, so really they have no choice. I wouldn't want anyone who did this to work for me.
Emily, Leeds

I don't feel sorry for Kate. It all goes with the territory. One must take the good (the fame, money, privileges) with the bad (extra scrutiny and lack of privacy). It just shows that no one can have it all, really.
Sarah, Leeds, UK

There's no taking the moral high ground in the UK judging from comments here. Come on people, if celebrities are not held accountable for their behaviour, what message does it send to our children?
Kim, Bristol

Of course they should, and Chanel is right too. This has happened to other celebs - companies do not want to be associated with people like this. They are merely protecting their brands and I see nothing wrong with that whatever.
Tracey Clayton, Norwich, England

Good for H&M, I think Chanel, Burberry and Rimmel should all follow suit, we make too many excuses for famous people to get away with things.
Denise Reekie, Surrey, UK

Does anybody really care, she's only a model. Nothing special about her and she hasn't really done a whole deal for society. Lets stop focusing on this non-entity and focus on real news.
Spencer, Surrey

Kate Moss is a model for clothes, she is not a role model Jo Haverson, London

Oh come on, H&M dropped her purely for advertising grounds not for any moral reasons whatsoever. It's just a cheap publicity stunt by a cheap fashion house. Kate Moss is a model for clothes, she is not a role model. She has never said she is.
Jo Haverson, London

I think it is very unfair for newspapers and journalists in general to just go out of their way to publish private details of people's lives. In my view journalists are just a bunch of hypocrites. I'm sure if a peruse of their private lives are embarked upon, a lot worse will be revealed. I do feel really sorry for Kate. But, I'm sure she'll bounce back from this.
Barachel Olubanwo, Harlow, UK

It is strange that anyone should feel even vaguely sympathetic towards someone who, despite having advantages and support in life, manages to be foolish, but that we ignore those people who, despite the most adverse circumstances never do drugs, work hard and live an honest and useful life. I'm sure we can put Ms Moss in the former category - how warped our values seem to be.
B, UK

Every employer has the right to terminate contracts based on employee drug use. Why should H&M be any different? Whether they are right or not depends solely on how they think her behaviour will impact sales and brand image. To me, it is not a moral issue, but a business one. Like most people, I couldn't really care less what Kate Moss does in her private life.
Andy Hughes, Glasgow

I definitely think H&M are right to drop her. I really don't understand the "what she does in her private life is her own affair" argument. That's effectively saying that it's okay for people to commit crime, as long as they do it in private.
Dan, London, UK

As a public icon she gave up her right to a private life when she accepted the pay cheque Tony, Swindon, England

Kate has chosen a career in the public limelight. She would have known that as a public icon she gave up her right to a private life when she accepted the pay cheque. Her life is (or was) her career. A career she has just snorted her up her nose.
Tony, Swindon, England

Please, please put it in perspective. What she did was illegal. Anyone stupid enough to be caught on camera committing crime deserves to be sacked . . . better still prosecuted.
John Schofield, York

H&M are not (as some people here believe) making their decision based on moral grounds. They are simply evaluating whether or not their image (and therefore profits) will suffer as a result of keeping/dumping Moss. Other companies are currently making the same decisions. The days when morality affected anything in the fashion industry are long gone (if they were ever there in the first place).
Mike, Aberdeen, UK

I totally disagree with this decision, what she does in her private life is up to her. If everyone in the UK was sacked for taking cocaine there would hardly be anyone left working.
Neil D, Birmingham UK

Celebs go into rehab, write a book and make a fortune. Normal people get arrested and thrown in jail. Strange who we value in this country!
Andy, UK

Since Kate Moss is nothing more than an expensive clothes horse, she can be replaced in an instant. There are millions of good looking women out there who could do the job. As an advertising icon she is damaged goods and therefore useless for purpose. As a drug user she should be offered help.
Barry P, Havant England

I am astonished at the amount of publicity this has received. I really couldn't care less what drugs Kate Moss uses or what decisions H&M make. There are many more things going on of much greater importance.
Kulu, Basingstoke, UK

H&M pay a lot of money to stars such as Moss and they have to reflect their corporate image Ray Allger, London, UK

H&M are right to drop Kate Moss. Kate is a public figure and whether she likes it or not people look up to her. She has to realise that what she does in her private life reflects on her public image. H&M pay a lot of money to stars such as Moss and they have to reflect their corporate image.
Ray Allger, London, UK

At the same time she is a role model, she is entitled to a private life and a career which isn't dictated by tabloid front pages, leave her alone.
Francis Lowe, London

It is unfortunate that Kate Moss is caught up in this mess. Most of the celebs are at it, that notwithstanding, I support H&M 100%.
Richard Addae, Tema, Ghana

I wholeheartedly agree with H&M dropping Kate Moss. It was in the contract that she not do drugs. Granted, most everyone does it; but, she got caught and should pay the price. It sends a good message to their target audience.
Jill, Quincy, USA

Absolutely the right decision. When will we stop glamorizing drug culture, it does nothing but ruin people's lives. We read reports in the weekend papers of teenage children being the next growth area in the fashion industry and read how much they want to be like their idols. People in the public eye have a responsibility and it is wrong to dismiss this just because 'they are all at it'.
Steve, Glasgow

If a sports celeb is caught taking drugs then that person faces repercussions Kevin Crouch, London

If a sports celeb is caught taking drugs then that person faces repercussions. Their club will fine them or drop them. It will affect his or her sporting career. Why shouldn't something similar affect other celebrities?
Kevin Crouch, London

I think H&M has done the only sensible thing it could do in order to maintain its integrity. I am not in a rush to condemn Moss; she is free to do as she pleases. But actions have consequences. Perhaps this is the best message one can possibly send to anyone - teenage H&M shoppers included.
Alex, New York

Kate Moss needs to be dropped, no question. Young girls have a hard enough time living up to the supermodel ideal. I applaud H&M for taking a stand against this type of behaviour in the name of our kids.
James Young, Toronto, Canada

To be honest, if anyone regards an overpaid clothes horse as a role model, they should really reconsider their outlook on life.
Dave, Bristol, UK

Somehow the publicity will end up earning her more money J Bilan, Los Angeles CA

Gee, a supermodel doing cocaine, who ever would have thought? Somehow the publicity will end up earning her more money and maybe get her boyfriend a new record deal.
J Bilan, Los Angeles CA

H&M should be applauded for their decision. Chanel, Burberry and Dior should be asked to explain the delay.
Alan Nickson, Groningen, The Netherlands

I absolutely agree with H&M's decision. They have a responsibility to their customers and cannot be seen to support such an image. Kate Moss's public persona has changed and she now looks a mess - as well as a terrible role model.
K Bone, London

I think we hire people to do jobs. What those people do in their personal time is none of our business. Only if direct public safety is a concern (bus drivers, pilots...) should personal lifestyle be questioned.
Curt S, Festus Missouri, USA

Of course they are correct in their action. Her private life is private but as soon as it becomes public then the people who are associated with her have the right and obligation to dissociate from it. Those people who disagree would doubtless be up in arms if their daughters followed her lead in such behaviour.
Kevan, Glonn, Germany

I think Miss Moss has been very unfortunate. It is true that it is nobody's business what she does in her private life, but when her private life becomes public, she has to live with the consequences of her actions. Many of H&M's customers will see her as a role model and they can't afford to be associated with her after such revelations.
Mat Robinson, London, England

H&M is a very young brand, it's aimed at young people and having an ad campaign with Kate Moss would be totally wrong. What sort of message would it give out to the young shoppers?
Holly, Pinner, London

She is a role model to many people, and has abused her privileged position Jodea Pakos, Portsmouth, UK

I think they are entirely right, and I hope her other contracts are brought to an end too. She is a role model to many people, and has abused her privileged position.
Jodea Pakos, Portsmouth, UK

Kate Moss, a top model and member of London's social set took coke? Where's the story, or the public interest?
Alex Brady, Coventry

I applaud H&M's turnaround - this should send a clear message to Kate Moss that her behaviour is outrageous and irresponsible. I can only hope that Chanel, Dior and the others follow suit. Perhaps this cold dose of reality will sober her up enough to do something positive about her life.
Muloongo, London

With a large number of the population now taking recreational drugs on a regular basis I think this is a bit over the top. Authorities, public bodies and in this case retailers burying their respective heads in the sand will not resolve this issue. Are we not in the era of educated drug use not abuse?
Bob Thomas, Bristol, UK

I absolutely agree with their decision to drop Kate Moss. What sort of message does she give to young people who are apt to emulate these so-called celebrities? I think that Kate thought that she was able to behave as she pleased and there would be no recriminations. Good for H&M.
Lynn Bowers, Martock, Somerset

I don't think H&M should drop Kate Moss from their advertising campaign. There are a large number of celebrities who take drugs, if there was to be drug testing of celebs, you would find out a large number of the celebs would be dropped. Kate rocks.
Sharon, Penicuik, Scotland

This publicity will actually strengthen their brand Rich Allen, UK

I think H&M have made a good decision. It shows that they value ethics and I think that this publicity will actually strengthen their brand.
Rich Allen, UK

I think it's reasonable enough. H&M want to project an image and if Kate Moss potentially tarnishes that image, I'm not surprised they've decided to drop her.
Chris Saul, Dubai

Yes, H&M are right to drop Kate Moss. Perhaps more importantly, they are right not to be afraid of going back on their original decision not to drop her - these days, it's all too common for people to stick stubbornly to a stance just to avoid being seen as losing face.
Chris, Weston-super-Mare, UK

I do not think she should be dropped. She should be more careful in her private life though. There are a lot of professional people famous or not playing and working as hard as she does. Samples taken from toilets in some of the most exclusive London bars revealed a very high trace of cocaine in urine samples. Everybody is at it.
Sharon Hughes, Hampshire