The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Man arrested after palace bomb alert
Police have arrested a man after a bomb disposal team attended a report of a suspicious item in the grounds of the Queen’s official Scottish residence.
Police Scotland said they were called to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh at around 8.50pm on Tuesday.
Officers deployed across the property and spent time carrying out searches in the palace grounds.
Police wearing overalls and carrying long sticks were seen methodically combing the forecourt and grass outside the building.
Others looked down drains and underneath cars and some officers were seen putting items into clear plastic bags.
Police vehicles were stationed outside several entrances to the palace.
The Independent newspaper reported the suspicious item had been made to look like a bomb but, after being examined, was found not to be a viable device.
The paper said it understood investigators believe it may have been a hoax and were not currently treating the incident as terror-related.
The Scottish Parliament is directly across the road from the palace and the final First Minister’s Questions were taking place yesterday ahead of the parliament breaking up for the election campaign ahead of Scotland going to the polls in May.
An SNP politician who witnessed the police search said: “There are police everywhere. It’s kind of scary especially as it’s a royal residence.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We were called to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Abbey Strand, Edinburgh, around 8.50pm on Tuesday March 23, following a report of a suspicious item. Following examination by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), it was made safe.
“A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident. There was no threat to the public and inquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances.”
A Royal Collection Trust source, which runs the Royal Residence, said: “We are co-operating with the police investigation.
“The public is advised to stay away from the area surrounding the palace at this time.”
The Royal Collection Trust, which runs the palace along with Hampton Court and Kensington Palace, brings in a total income of more than £48 million every year, which maintains and displays the collection of royal artefacts held in trust by the Queen for her heirs and the nation.
The Queen typically spends several days a year at the Palace of Holyroodhouse before journeying north for her extended private summer break at Balmoral Castle on Deeside.
The monarch uses the Edinburgh venue to hold annual garden parties, although the events in 2020 were cancelled due to Covid-19.