• Heavy police presence was visible around the ministerial corridor in Parliament
  • House of Commons spokesman confirmed an investigation had been launched 
  • No details were released on what the police were looking into  

By Tim Sculthorpe, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 13:07 GMT, 13 February 2018 | Updated: 15:15 GMT, 13 February 2018

Counter terrorism police were today called into the Houses of Parliament after a ‘suspicious package’ containing white powder was delivered to an office.

Armed police closed off an area in the basement of the Palace of Westminster while specialist officers examined the substance.

They later ruled that the substance was ‘non harmful’ and did not place Parliament in lockdown.  

It comes after Donald Trump Jr’s wife Vanessa was rushed to hospital in New York on Monday after opening a letter with white powder inside.

British MPs have been the target of a lot of high levels of abuse and four have had death threats sent to them by an anonymous person who signed off ‘the real 48 per cent’. 

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into an 'incident' inside the House of Parliament today

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into an ‘incident’ inside the House of Parliament today

The Houses of Parliament is a major terrorist target and was attacked by Khalid Masood in March last year.

He ploughed his car into five passers-by on Westminster Bridge before leaping out ans trying to storm Parliament, stabbing PC Keith Palmer to death. 

One unnamed officer in Speaker’s Court told the Press Association that specialist colleagues were examining a package left in the Palace of Westminster.

They said: ‘We haven’t been told much, but a package has been left.

‘Specialist officers have just arrived to examine it.

‘It won’t be anything to worry about.’ 

A House of Commons spokesman said: ‘The Police are currently investigating an incident on the Parliamentary Estate.

‘While their investigation is ongoing, any questions should be directed to the Metropolitan Police.’

The Palace of Westminster was not locked down and the main Carriage Gate entrance – the scene of the attack on Westminster last March – was open as normal.

Scotland Yard said its Counter Terrorism Command is investigating.

A spokesman said: ‘At approximately 11.36am on Tuesday, February 13, police were informed of a suspicious package that had been delivered to an office within the Palace of Westminster. Police are at the scene and dealing.

‘The letter contained a white powder which is currently being assessed by specialists. 

‘The office remains closed at this time, but the rest of the Palace of Westminster is open.’ 



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