The office of British Prime Minister David Cameron has refused to comment on allegations made in a new book involving lewd acts performed on a pig, as well as claims he used marijuana in university.
A spokesperson for Cameron said she would not dignify with a response allegations made in a book by prolific donor and former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party Lord Ashcroft.
Ashcroft’s new book, Call Me Dave: The Unauthorised Biography, accuses Cameron of being part of a debauched group called the Piers Gaveston Society during his time as Oxford, and that an unnamed contemporary of Cameron’s at Oxford who is now a member of Parliament, recalled that Cameron took part in an “outrageous” initiation ceremony.
“His extraordinary suggestion is that the future PM inserted a private part of his anatomy into the animal’s mouth,” an excerpt published by the Daily Mail claimed. The man repeated the allegation in detail and claimed a photograph existed of the act.
The claims come in the wake of a falling out between Ashcroft and Prime Minister Cameron. Ashcroft was recently passed over for a top role in the government. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister told The Independent: “It’s a no comment from us. On any of it.”
The book also claims that Cameron smoked marijuana with university friends and later allowed cocaine in his London home. The claims have electrified the British press, with the hashtag #snoutrage trending on Twitter.
Though there are some similarities between the allegations and an episode of the Black Mirror sci-fi series, which people noted on social media, show creator Charlie Brooker said there was no connection.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com