Independence activist target of hoax attack

Substance posed no risk to the public

An independence activist was targeted in what was believed to be a hoax chemical attack in St Andrews.

A suspicious package delivered to a house in St Mary Street sparked a large-scale emergency response.

The householder, who was taken to Ninewells Hospital, was led from his house in a hazmat suit and had to be decontaminated.

Police later confirmed the substance, smeared on a piece of cardboard, was not dangerous.

The victim blamed unionist campaigners for the incident on Thursday afternoon and said he had received threats in the past.

But he declared: “It won’t stop me, I’ll carry on doing what I do.”

Police Scotland said: “Inquiries have now established that there was no risk to the public.”

A hoax chemical attack which saw part of St Andrews sealed off has been blamed on unionist campaigners.

A suspicious package was delivered to the home of an independence activist, sparking a massive response from the emergency services.

The victim was led from his home in St Mary Street in a hazmat suit for decontamination and taken to Ninewells Hospital.

It is not yet known what the grey substance, smeared on a piece of corrugated cardboard, was but police gave assurances there was no danger to the public.

An envelope around the size of a CD case was delivered by courier to the man’s home on Thursday afternoon.

The recipient, who did not wish to be named, told The Courier he realised immediately it was suspicious.

He said: “It was obvious it was dodgy, it wasn’t a proper parcel. I put it straight down, walked away, washed my hands thoroughly and phoned the police.”

Part of St Mary Street was cordoned off and traffic diverted at South Street and Lamond Drive, as several police cars, four ambulances and two fire engines descended on the scene.

The man was instructed to remain in his home but keep away from the package while emergency services personnel, many of them also dressed in hazmat suits, dealt with the incident.

He was led outside to a waiting ambulance and thoroughly scrubbed and decontaminated before the parcel was removed for testing.

He was released from hospital in Dundee later on Thursday evening.

He said: “It was well handled, the response was pretty thorough.”

Blaming unionists for the delivery, he said he believed the attack was in response to his political views and said he had received threats in the past.

He said: “I have been threatened by unionists once or twice before, stupid stuff which I don’t take too seriously.

“When something like this comes through the door you have to take it seriously.

“It’s not going to stop me, I will carry on doing what I do.

“There have been dirty tactics before and I expect we will probably see more.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Fife were called to an address in the St Mary Street area of St Andrews at around 12.45pm on Thursday June 7 following a report of a potentially suspicious package being received.

“Local road closures were put in place as a precaution and emergency services were in attendance.

“Inquiries have now established that there was no risk to the public.”

An ambulance service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 13.34 hours on Thursday, June 7 to attend an incident on St Mary Street in St Andrews.

“One male patient was transported to Ninewells Hospital.”

When something like this comes through the door you have to take it seriously