Liz Truss residence houses traces of cocaine after parties: Guardian

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
17 Dec 2022 14:11
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In an exclusive report by the Guardian, sources say that white powder residue was found after events held at Chevening and Downing Street.

Chevening House, the country estate in Kent where claims of suspected cocaine use have emerged. (Getty Images)

Traces of a suspected class A drug, according to the Guardian, were discovered at a government home following parties attended by Liz Truss' political allies.

The white powder was discovered at the Chevening estate last summer, according to sources, just days before Truss won the Tory leadership election and became Prime Minister.

A member of staff claimed they tested the powder using a swab which changes color when it comes into contact with cocaine, and it indicated the drug was present.

Cocaine possession is a criminal offense punishable by up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine, according to the report. The government launched a new crackdown in July on casual drug users, saying their passports could be confiscated.

According to The Guardian, separate sources have described similar deposits being discovered in the offices of No. 10 Downing Street following two lockdown parties held while Boris Johnson was Prime Minister.

Staff at Chevening claim to have discovered traces of white powder on a side table in a games room with a snooker table on two occasions, following nights when Truss was known to have entertained guests at the Kent country house, a retreat for foreign secretaries.

As reported by The Guardian, during her leadership campaign, Truss, then Foreign Secretary, hosted a gathering at the 17th-century Grade I-listed home on the weekend of August 19-21. Another gathering was held on the weekend of September 2-4. On both weekends, a diverse range of political allies was in attendance.

Grace-and-favor home

Chevening is a grace-and-favor 3,000-acre estate. The foreign secretary is traditionally granted use of the 115-room mansion, and its upkeep is funded by a trust established by an act of parliament.

According to an insider, cocaine was widely used throughout Whitehall and the parliamentary estate, and some of Truss' political allies used it. However, there is no evidence that Truss or Johnson used the drug or was aware that drugs were being used or were present. The Guardian has not been told who is to blame for the alleged white powder deposits.

Sources who worked in No. 10 during Johnson's tenure stated that white powder residue was discovered following two parties held at the office complex despite Covid-19 restrictions. Johnson is understood not to have been at either party.

As reported by The Guardian, white powder residue was discovered the morning after a party at No. 10 on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral on April 17, 2021, according to sources.

Cleaning staff discovered white powder deposits in bathrooms and on a table in the No. 10 offices, according to The Guardian. Small plastic bags, tissues stained with blood spots, and vomit were said to have been discovered near the table on the floor next to the bin.

According to sources, there was also a smudged line of powder and a discarded Boots Advantage card on the same table. It is unknown who owned the card.

Outrage erupted when it was revealed that the party was held just hours before the Queen had to mourn alone at her husband's funeral due to social distancing rules, reported The Guardian. There were reports of a suitcase of wine being wheeled to Downing Street and a broken garden swing for the Prime Minister's son.

Traces of white powder and small plastic bags were also discovered in the bathrooms at No. 10's office complex on December 19, 2020, the morning after a Christmas party, according to sources.

Staff suspected the material was drug traces because it was discovered among other evidence of partying such as bottles, empty cans, and food wrappers. A separate source familiar with the parties claimed they were aware of drug use at both events.

Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, was tasked with compiling a report on lockdown-busting parties in No 10 and across Whitehall. Her report contained no mention of drug use, according to The Guardian.

The newspaper's revelations come after evidence of cocaine use in toilets near Johnson's former parliamentary office and other locations on the parliamentary estate was revealed last year.

During her brief tenure as prime minister, Truss spokesperson said that “cracking down on illegal drugs” was a priority.

The Guardian posed a series of questions to Truss about the Chevening allegations. She declined to comment further. A spokesperson for her said in a one-line statement, “This is categorically untrue.”