Two days after the artwork went on display at the Duke of Marlborough’s country home, burglars broke into the palace and ripped it from the wall, leaving in their wake “significant damage and flooding”.

The 18-carat lavatory, entitled America, was part of an exhibition by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and was housed in a stall adjacent to the room in which Winston Churchill was born.

A 66-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the theft but the golden loo is still missing amid fears it could be melted down.

Spencer Churchill, half-brother of the current Duke of Marlborough, told The Sunday Times last month: “Despite being born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I have never had a s*** on a golden lavatory, so I look forward to it.”

Asked if he was worried it would be stolen, he said: “It’s not going to be the easiest thing to nick. Firstly, it’s plumbed in, and secondly, a potential thief will have no idea who last used the lavatory or what they ate. So no, I don’t plan to be guarding it.”