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It's a question that's become a rite of passage for any ambitious MP eyeing up a seat at the top table of politics: "Have you ever taken drugs?"

Given the damage illegal substances do around the world every day, it's perhaps inappropriate that the answer to this question has now become deeply political.

But such is the way of Westminster that even the most serious elements of an MP's past become colours with which their political portrait is painted.

So, much like the now infamous question: "What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?", answers will be carefully calibrated.

Cocaine, cannabis and opium: Which politicians have used drugs and what did they take?

As a number of Tory leadership hopefuls admit to past drug use, Sky News looks at the admissions, non-denials and not inhaling.

Honest enough to inspire trust and relatability, veiled enough to avoid alienating squeamish voters.

It's perhaps no surprise then that some eyebrows have been raised at Michael Gove's admission that he took cocaine on several occasions as a young journalist.

One political strategist texts to say for a candidate who "looks like an odd vicar", Mr Gove's candid admission could benefit him.

"It stinks of him trying to look cool. Following Boris Johnson with coke, James Cleverly with weed, Rory Stewart with opium - all of whom do extraordinarily well with the youth vote," he says.

Others smell dirty tricks on the eve of the official contest getting under way.

The journalist who first got hold of the claims says Mr Gove admitted to taking cocaine while being drilled by advisers ahead of the 2016 leadership campaign.

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Anyone who knows Westminster, knows that advisers frequently switch between MPs and those once loyal to Mr Gove may now find favour elsewhere.

But if the aim of the leak was to damage the environment secretary's electoral hopes, it may not work as hoped.

Tory leadership race: The runners and riders vying to replace Theresa May

Theresa May has announced she will resign as Conservative leader on 7 June, firing the starting gun on a leadership race to replace her.

One Conservative councillor from a rural area says it may not go down too well with the "blue-rinse brigade" of more traditional and older Tory members.

But he adds that most will probably shrug it off, as they did with Rory Stewart's opium confession.

Another member suggests experiences like that could even help those in high office come up with robust drug laws.

As serious as Class A drug abuse is, it appears the political damage done by revelations of these sorts is not as severe as it once was.

Indeed, the image of Mr Gove as a 30-year old journalist, well-heeled enough to dabble in a spot of cocaine at social gatherings, is arguably more damaging than the bare law-breaking facts.

It was one of Mr Gove's successors as justice secretary who recently took aim at "middle class drug users" who take cocaine at dinner parties.

David Gauke told Sky's Sophy Ridge last year that such people are "fuelling the industry that's resulting in the knife crimes" and they "should feel a degree of guilt and responsibility".

But in reality this leadership campaign, more than any other perhaps, will be fought along different battle lines.

Brexit will dominate and Mr Gove's position on that will have far more of an impact on his success than what he put up his nose two decades ago.