Police launched into action after a suspect package was found just yards from Parliament.
A bomb disposal robot was activated during the drama (Image: Sky News )
A Labour MP could be put on the Met Police naughty list this Christmas after a box of unsent festive cards sparked a bomb scare outside Parliament. Officers from the force rushed to reports of a “suspicious package” found close to the seat of Britain’s democracy around 7.30am this morning (Thursday).
The worrying find triggered the evacuation of College Green and an exclusion zone was put in place from the historic Jewel Tower to Millbank House. Images from Sky News showed a bomb disposal robot being deployed to deal with the unknown package.
However, the Daily Express understands the Met Police has since been assessed as “non-sus” and the rapid response was stood down. Further inspection by officers revealed the dishevelled cardboard box left on a wall contained a stack of Christmas cards, which are believed to have bore the name of communities minister Miatta Fahnbulleh MP.
It’s understood the bomb disposal response was stood down when the package was assessed (Image: Sky News )
Express.co.uk have contacted Ms Fahnbulleh’s office for comment. The Met Police said they would not be releasing a statement, but that the incident had now been “stood down”.
According to Sky News, a reporter from the channel was able to inspect the cards and find the name of the Labour politician emblazoned on them. The broadcaster said many of the greeting cards were marked “most urgent”, perhaps because Parliament will rise for a Christmas recess of around two weeks at the end of today (Thursday).
It’s reported Ms Fahnbulleh was expecting a delivery of cards, but that they had not arrived. The traditional festive expressions were decorated with gingerbread men, snowmen and candy canes. They appeared to be prints of hand-drawn designs.
The cards were linked to Labour MP, Miatta Fahnbulleh (Image: Paul Gillis / Reach Plc)
Tourists and staff were allowed back onto College Green by around 8.15am. A witness told the Telegraph: “It didn’t look particularly threatening and, once the robot had gone in, we were back on the green after about 45 minutes.
“We were told at first that we could go round the corner, but after a while we were asked to move further away.”
The House of Commons said it did not comment on security processes and measures.
