Crack cocaine has been found in a Home Office bathroom, sparking a police inquiry.
According to the Sun, the Class A drug was discovered in a secure area of the department’s headquarters on Whitehall, alongside a crack pipe.
The police were called to the scene, but later said no further action was needed. An internal inquiry is underway.
The building is also home to the housing and environment departments, and requires a high level of security clearance to enter restricted areas.
A Whitehall source told the newspaper: “This was a shocking find and came in an area of the Home Office where access is only granted to those with the highest level of security clearance.”
It is understood that new home secretary Sajid Javid and other ministers were aware of the incident.
The Home Office said: “A small quantity of drugs was found.
"The incident was referred to police by building security. They removed the substance and advised no further action was needed.
“We take incidents of this nature extremely seriously.”
It comes after the department was plunged into chaos last month over the Windrush scandal and subsequent government confusion over immigration targets.
The debacle eventually led to Amber Rudd stepping down as home secretary.