William Hague's antique anaconda cost £10,000 to re-stuff

The Foreign Office has spent £10,000 on the "essential maintenance" of a stuffed anaconda called Albert.

The 20ft snake has been hanging in the library of what is now William Hague's department since the 19th Century.

But officials sent it for a scan after noticing it was in poor condition - and the sorry-looking snake was re-stuffed.

Foreign Office officials say they are obliged to maintain the department's assets - and Albert is seen as one such asset.

The story was uncovered through a Freedom of Information request bypolitical gossip website Guido Fawkes.

The official FOI reply explains how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) came to be the owner of an antique anaconda.




Read on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20174582