What lurks within the halls of power?

Rats joined by head lice in Downing Street

Rats joined by head lice in Downing Street

By politics.co.uk staff

David Cameron has enough to scratch his head over without head lice, but the prime minister is facing a nit outbreak in Downing Street.

The prime minister told journalists visiting No 10 his children Nancy, seven, and Arthur, four, had returned from school with head lice.

He warned journalists that they might find their heads scratching as a result of their brush with power.

“If you find them when you get home I apologise,” Mr Cameron told the visiting hacks.

“Let me know and I’ll send you a comb and some ointment.”

The prime minister’s spokesperson said the problem was “contained”.

The unwanted visitors to the seat of power may have taken their lead from the rats seen on the steps of No 10 last week during an ITV News bulletin.

A lack of cleanliness does not seem to be the problem, however – head lice are mainly attracted to healthy hair.