Energy minister is left powerless by another calamity at 'cursed' building

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne was left in the dark when the lights went out in his department.

The Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister was in the lift when a power cut hit the Department of Energy's Whitehall Place HQ.

Emergency back-up systems kicked in to stop him being trapped but the blackout yesterday did affect the rest of the building and caused a minor panic just 30 minutes before Mr Huhne was due to answer questions in the Commons.

It meant last-minute briefing documents could not be printed, leaving ministers to fend for themselves against MPs.

It came just a day after George Osborne's Budget pledged £3 billion for the green investment bank which had been the subject of wrangling between the Treasury and Mr Huhne's department. It prompted one insider to joke: "Rumours that this was a plot by the Treasury have been greatly exaggerated."

In fact the power cut affected the area around Trafalgar Square after a water leak caused a power surge, tripping the circuit breakers at Mr Huhne's building. Power was restored shortly afterwards.

It is the latest in a series of calamities to hit the department, leading some staff to question whether the building is cursed.

Last summer there was a flood in the basement, soaking the clothing and possessions of top civil servants, lifts have failed and the heating and air conditioning systems have been beset with problems.