They were taken at a house party earlier this year and one shows him sniffing what’s believed to be cocaine. A source close to Mr Hannigan, who wishes to remain anonymous, revealed to us that he frequently attends get-togethers where drugs are consumed and also buys illegal substances from local dealers.

One man who was jailed last year for drug trafficking revealed to this newspaper that Mr Hannigan was among his customers.

James went on to read several follow-up stories on various online news sites in which Hannigan admitted to taking drugs on occasion but denied that it was an addiction.

In the days that followed the revelations he came in for so much flak from people in the constituency that he withdrew from the by-election. James watched a video clip in which Hannigan read out a pre-prepared statement, saying that he very much regretted his past actions and understood why people felt that he had let them down.

In the video he was dressed in a smart grey suit, his dark hair slicked back with gel, and James couldn’t help wondering if he would have become an MP had those photographs not been leaked to the paper.

Among the many questions that needed to be answered was whether his former fiancée attended that same get-together and took those incriminating photos.

And whether she then passed them on to the Cumbria Gazette to punish the man for what he had done to her.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Back at the hotel, things were much the same as when James had left, though the reception area was now busy with uniformed officers, staff, and guests who were preparing to go home.

It was noisier than it had been earlier, probably because for most people the shock had worn off and they were finding it easier to talk about what had happened the day before.

Sergeant Dale Thomas was standing at the front desk speaking to the young female receptionist and taking notes on what she was telling him.

James crossed the room to join them. ‘Thomas, how are things going?’

‘We’ve now interviewed most of the staff and guests,’ he said. ‘I’ll collate the statements and notes as soon as I get a chance but unfortunately no new leads have emerged and everyone is saying more or less the same thing. They didn’t go to the jetty, they saw little of Rachel Elliott after the ceremony, and they did not engage with the bearded Italian guy. Several of them are in a rough way because of too much drink and too little sleep.

‘Mark Slade’s room has now been searched but officers found nothing to incriminate the best man. Meanwhile, DC Hall is still scrolling through the photos and security footage and DC Abbott has just gone to the jetty to check on progress there,’ Thomas continued.

‘I’m going to pop down there myself,’ James said. ‘Can I leave it to you to get some of the team together for a catch-up in about fifteen minutes? In the Garden Room, if it’s still empty.’