Police searching minister's home find dope worth... 85p

The news flashed across the airwaves yesterday morning that cannabis had been found by police in the constituency home of John Reid, Secretary of State for Defence, during a routine security search last week.

Mr Reid, 58, was in Afghanistan when the hashish was found, visiting British troops deployed to counter its narcotics trade.

The discovery, in a guest room at the house near Motherwell, was confirmed by Strathclyde Assistant Chief Constable John Corrigan. The find was so small - a street value of 85p - police did not report it to Scotland's prosecution service. Police said it could have been left there at any time by any of "hundreds" of visitors.

Mr Reid said: "There is no suggestion that this involves me or members of my family, and both I and the Strathclyde police regard the matter as closed."