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Traces of cocaine have been found at a government estate in England where former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss hosted parties for political allies, according to a report on Friday.
Staff told The Guardian they tested the white powder found on the Chevening estate last summer, using a swab that changes color when it detects cocaine. The incidents took place when Truss was Foreign Secretary under then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The British daily cited additional sources who said similar signs were found in staff offices at 10 Downing Street when parties were held during the Covid lockdown during Johnson’s tenure as prime minister.
Chevening staff told The Guardian that white powder was found on a table in the estate’s billiard table room after two separate parties hosted by Truss, the then foreign secretary, at the estate’s Kent House in August and September.
A range of political allies of Truss attended each of the weekend’s parties, The Guardian said, without specifying Truss’ whereabouts at the parties but insisting there was no indication the then foreign minister himself had used cocaine.
The Guardian said it did not know who was using the illegal substance.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a statement in front of 10 Downing Street in central London on July 7, 2022 (Niclas Hellen/AFP)
Chevening is known as a “grace-and-favour” home used by foreign secretaries and their aides.
Friday’s report was the latest development in what is known as “Partygate” in the UK.
Civil service investigator Sue Gray described alcohol-fuelled bashes held by Downing Street staff members in 2020 and 2021 when pandemic restrictions prevented UK residents from socializing or visiting dying relatives.
Partygate threatened to end Johnson’s already short tenure as premier, although he managed to weather the storm until September, when various scandals led to the mass resignation of his own cabinet and prompted him to step down. She was replaced by Truss, although she only lasted 45 days.
Gray’s report does not mention the use of cocaine.
Sources told The Guardian that Downing cleaning staff found the white powder in Johnson’s staff office after a party was held on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.
Deposits of white powder were also found in the bathroom, along with small plastic bags, blood and vomit-stained tissues that were picked up next to the trash can. At a nearby table, the cleaning staff picked up a Boot Advantage card and saw a dusty line of powder next to it.
Johnson was not believed to have attended Downing parties where cocaine was believed to have been used.
Truss and the UK Foreign Office declined The Guardian’s request for comment on the report.
A spokesman for Johnson said the former prime minister was “surprised by the allegations as he had not previously been informed of any suggestions of drug use at 10 Downing Street and as far as he knew no such claims had been made by Sue Gray or him. other investigators.”
A spokesperson for Number 10 said, “The Guardian has not provided any evidence to support these claims. If there is a bona fide claim, we would be expected to report it to the police.”
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