A bomb disposal robot was deployed to Westminster on Thursday morning after a "suspicious package" triggered a security lockdown at the parliamentary estate. The package turned out to be a box of unsent Christmas cards belonging to Communities Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh.
Metropolitan Police cordoned off Parliament Square and Millbank before 7:30 am after the alert. Bomb disposal experts sent in a remote-controlled vehicle to inspect the package, eventually carrying out a controlled explosion. A loud bang echoed across the area as specialists examined the item.
The box bore Fahnbulleh's name and contained Christmas cards, some marked "most urgent". Sky News understands the Labour minister had been expecting a delivery of cards that never arrived.
Disruption in Westminster
Commuters arriving in Westminster found themselves unable to cross Parliament Square due to the police cordon. The public was evacuated from College Green, opposite the Houses of Parliament, as authorities established a wide security perimeter from Jewel Tower to Millbank House.
The incident occurred on one of the final working days before Christmas, as parliament was set to rise for recess at the end of the day. After forensic examinations confirmed the package posed no threat, Metropolitan Police stood down the operation and reopened the area.
An intrepid Sky News journalist identified the name on the box during the security operation. The Met Police and parliamentary security may now find themselves elevated on the minister's Christmas card list following the incident.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
