Traces of suspected cocaine found after parties at Liz Truss’ graceful home, according to Staff Liz Truss

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Traces of a suspected Class A drug were found in one of the government’s Grace and Favor homes after Liz Truss’s political allies turned up, the Guardian has been told.

The white powder was discovered in Chevening last summer in the days before Truss won the Tory leadership contest and became prime minister, according to sources.

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

Cocaine possession is a criminal offense that can result in up to seven years in prison, or an unlimited fine.

In July, the government launched a new crackdown on drug users, saying their passports could be confiscated.

Separate sources describe finding similar deposits in offices at 10 Downing Street after two closed-door parties held when Boris Johnson was prime minister.

The Chevening staff claimed on two occasions that they found traces of white powder on a side table in a games room with a snooker table, after nights in which Truss was known to entertain guests at Kent Cottage, a retreat for foreign secretaries.

Truss, then Secretary of State, hosted a meeting in the 17th-century Grade I listed house over the weekend of August 19-21 as her leadership campaign was in full swing. Another meeting took place over the weekend of September 2-4. A group of political allies were present at the weekends.

Chevening is a graceful home set in 3,000 acres. The use of the 115-room mansion is traditionally given to the Secretary of State, and its maintenance is funded by a trust established by Act of Parliament.

An insider said cocaine was used extensively in Whitehall and the parliamentary borough, and claimed it was used by some of Truss’ political allies.

There is no indication that Truss or Johnson themselves used the drug or that they were aware of whether or not the drugs were used. The Guardian has not been told who is responsible for the alleged white powder deposits.

Truss lasted 45 days as prime minister. A mini budget introduced by her then-adviser, Kwasi Quarting, in late September sent Britain’s government bond markets crashing, and forced the Bank of England to spend billions of pounds buying government debt to protect market stability.

Separately, sources who worked at Number 10 during Johnson’s tenure claimed white powder residue was found after two parties were held in the office complex despite Covid-19 restrictions.

Understandably, Johnson was not on either extreme.

Sources said residue of white powder was found the morning after a party at Number 10 on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, 2021.

The Guardian has been told that cleaning crews found deposits of white powder in the bathrooms and on a table in Number 10’s offices. Small plastic bags were said to have been discovered near the table on the floor beside the box, as well as tissues stained with blood and vomit.

Sources also said there was evidence of a smeared streak of powder and a discarded Boots Advantage card on the same table. It is not known to whom the card belongs.

The revelation that the party, which was held just hours before the Queen had to mourn alone at her husband’s funeral due to social distancing rules, has sparked outrage. They included reports that a bag of wine had been wheeled to Downing Street and that a garden swing belonging to the prime minister’s son had been broken.

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

Staff suspected the substance was likely traces of drugs as it was found amid wider evidence of the party including bottles, empty cans and food wrappers.

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A separate source familiar with both parties claimed they were aware of drug use at both events.

A senior civil servant, Sue Gray, has been tasked with producing a report on lockdown-busting parties at Number 10 and across Whitehall. There was no mention of drug use in her report.

The Guardian’s revelations came after evidence emerged of cocaine use in toilets next to Johnson’s then-parliamentary office and several other locations around Parliament House last year.

Johnson’s government has put forward a drug strategy that proposes that middle-class drug users confiscate their passports and driver’s licences, in order to “interfere” with their lives.

During her short tenure as Prime Minister, Truss’ spokesperson said that “suppressing illegal drugs” was a priority.

The Guardian asked Truss a series of questions about the allegations relating to Chevening. She declined to comment in detail.

“This is completely untrue,” her spokesperson said in a one-line statement.

The Foreign Office declined to comment on allegations of activities in Chevening.

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said: “Boris Johnson has been surprised by these allegations as he had not been previously informed of any suggestions of drug use at 10 Downing Street and as far as he knows no such allegations have been made to Sue Gray or any other investigators.

“It has been a feature of Johnson’s premiership that he has campaigned vigorously against drug use, especially middle-class drug use. His government has made huge investments in tougher policing to help roll back the drug cartels on county lines, who cause so much misery.” To harsher penalties for the use and distribution of Class A drugs.”

A spokesperson for No 10 said: “The Guardian has not provided any evidence to support these allegations. If there are substantial allegations, we would expect them to be reported to the police.

“There was an independent investigation into the nature of the gatherings under a previous administration – and its findings have been published. This information was also handed over to the Metropolitan Police Service who conducted their own investigations at the time.”

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