Member of Queen's guard filmed 'snorting line of powder' off ceremonial sword
An investigation has been launched after one of the Queen's guard was filmed snorting a line of powder off a ceremonial sword inside the most senior royal palace in the UK.
Major James Coleby, one of the Coldstream Guards, was filmed allegedly sniffing the unknown substance at St James's Palace the night of September 5, The Sun reported.
It is believed Lieutenant Charles McLean recorded and posted the 30 second video to a messaging service for personnel by mistake.
In the video, obtained by the newspaper, 27-year-old Captain Alex Ritchie appears to chop up a substance with a plastic card inside the Officers' Mess.
Major Coleby, then allegedly asked those in the room: "How much? Two inches? You want two inches of that?
"If you get rid of that I'll be mightily impressed."
The 41-year-old Major appeared to smile, crouch down and snort the substance as a woman shouted: "No, don't do it, for the love of God!"
The Ministry of Defence said they would investigate the incident and are expected to be looking into three guards.
The newspaper reported that Major Coleby was overseeing 15 men at the palace at the time and he was the most senior member of staff on duty.
It is believed Major Coleby served Iraq and Afghanistan veteran.
The palace is located in Westminster and is home to Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, who were reportedly not home at the time.
Colonel Richard Kemp said the footage is "worrying and acutely embarrassing" for the army.
