Ken Clarke loses red box key on Trent Bridge day off

The Lord Chancellor watched Eoin Morgan make his maiden Test century

Lord Chancellor Kenneth Clarke lost the key to his ministerial red box as he took a day off to watch Test cricket at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Mr Clarke said officials at the Ministry of Justice would probably suspect him of faking the loss so he could enjoy the England-Pakistan match.

Red boxes are used by ministers to carry official papers when they are away from their departments.

The Ministry of Justice said the loss had not compromised security.

Spare key

In a message to staff on BBC Radio's Test Match Special on Thursday, Mr Clarke said: "If they are in the office listening to this programme - honestly, if they send the key, I will do the papers tonight."

A spokesman said a replacement key would be sent to Mr Clarke overnight.

The spokesman said: "There is no security breach. The Lord Chancellor will be able to open his box as normal."

The Rushcliffe MP said he insisted on starting his summer break with the Test Match in his home city of Nottingham.

He said: "I have had to ring up my office from the ground... just to let them know that I can't open the red box that they made me take with me last night because I appear to have lost my key.

"I do have a key. I have mislaid it somewhere.

"I can't believe anybody in my office believes a word - they know I'm at Trent Bridge."

Mr Clarke had an enjoyable day at Trent Bridge, where England made an impressive 331-4 with a superb maiden Test century from Eoin Morgan.