A major security alert brought part of Westminster to a standstill on Thursday morning after the discovery of a suspicious package near the Houses of Parliament. The incident prompted a full-scale emergency response, including the deployment of a bomb disposal squad and the lockdown of a significant area around Parliament Square.
Emergency Response and Lockdown
The Metropolitan Police were alerted to an unattended item near the Knife Edge sculpture on College Green shortly before 7.30am on December 18. Officers swiftly moved to secure the scene, cordoning off a zone stretching from the Jewel Tower to Millbank House. Members of the public were evacuated from the green space as a precaution.
A specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was dispatched to investigate. The operation involved the use of a remote-controlled bomb disposal robot to carefully examine the package from a safe distance, ensuring the safety of officers and the public.
A Festive False Alarm
After a tense 45-minute investigation, the suspicious item was deemed to be non-threatening. The lockdown was lifted, and people were allowed back onto the grass at approximately 8.15am.
In an unexpected twist, the so-called suspicious package was revealed to be a Christmas parcel. Images shared by Sky News journalists showed it contained piles of unsent festive cards. The package was addressed to Labour MP Miatta Fahnbulleh, who had reportedly been expecting its delivery. Instead of arriving at its intended destination, it triggered a major security incident in the heart of British democracy.
Public Reaction and Aftermath
Despite the dramatic response, witnesses described a relatively calm atmosphere. One individual told The Telegraph they were not overly concerned, noting the package "didn’t look particularly threatening." They confirmed that once the robot had completed its work, access to the area was restored relatively quickly.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the incident was stood down once the package was identified. The event highlights the constant state of high alert and the robust security protocols in place around key political institutions in London, where any unattended item is treated with utmost seriousness.
The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between necessary security vigilance and the potential for disruption caused by innocent misunderstandings, especially during the busy festive period.
