‘Suspicious package’ leads to evacuation of Scottish Parliament

The “suspicious package” which led to Scottish Parliament being evacuated has been confirmed as being event invitations to Tory MSPS.

Police rushed to the scene after receiving a call at 11:35am yesterday and firefighters examined the ‘white powder’ believed to have been found in a package.

It is understood the packages were sent to Conservative MSPS Jamie Halcro-johnston, Liz Smith, Edward Mountain and Donald Cameron.

A Conservative source said that the packages received were invitations to the Inverness Courier newspaper’s 200th anniversary celebration event.

Another source said that the “white powder” may have in fact have been imitation snow.

However, this has been denied by the police. A police spokesman described the incident as a “false alarm with good intent”.

The letter, addressed to Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcrojohnston, was opened in his second-floor office by one of his researchers.

A source said: “He noticed the white powder on his hand and he alerted security.

“Security guards then went round each floor of the MSP block saying there had been an incident and asking everyone to leave.

“The whole block has been evacuated.

“A lot of MSPS were in committee meetings so it was mostly staff in the building.”

The MSP block was evacuated as a precaution but inquiries have concluded there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident and no crime has been committed.

Parliament chief executive Paul Grice sent an email to MSPS saying the block would have to remain closed until the fire brigade gave the all-clear.

Normal service at the Scottish Parliament resumed and the block re-opened at around 1:30pm.

An incident management team had been activated.

Police have thanked members of the public for their “patience and support” while the incident was resolved.

Confirming the details of the evacuation, a Police Scotland spokesman said yesterday: “Police in Edinburgh can confirm that the emergency response at the Scottish Parliament has been stood down.

“Emergency services were called at around 11:35am on Tuesday following a report of a suspicious package having been delivered.

“Themspblockwasevacuated as a precaution, but inquiries have concluded there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident and no crime has been committed. Normal service at the Scottish Parliament has resumed.”

0 Fire and rescue services arrive at Holyrood after white powder was found in a package