Police say ‘no public risk’ after Galloway virus hoax

A PACKAGE delivered to former MP George Galloway’s office claiming to be “infected with Ebola” has been declared safe by police.

Mr Galloway, who lost his Bradford West seat at the General Election, tweeted earlier that his staff had been quarantined after a handkerchief said to contain the deadly virus arrived at his office in West Yorkshire.

The 60-year-old, who was in Scotland at the time, wrote: “I’ve just been delivered a handkerchief in the post which is said to be infected with Ebola. My staff are quarantined in my office whilst the police deal with it.”

West Yorkshire Police said they attended a property in Grattan Road, Bradford, where it was established the package purporting to contain a “hazardous substance” posed no risk.

Chief Inspector Sarah Baker said: “Expert advice has been sought in relation to the substance allegedly contained in the package and it has been established that it would not pose any risk to public safety. The letter will be seized by officers and further inquiries made.”

It is not the first time the outspoken former Respect Party MP has received a death threat in the post.

In September, Scotland Yard launched an investigation after a letter claiming the MP would “die from a deadly virus” was sent to the Houses of Parliament.

Officers from the Palace of Westminster contacted the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command after receipt of the letter.

It comes days after a complaint against Mr Galloway over his use of parliamentary funds was referred to the police – Mr Galloway denies the allegations.