A major security alert brought the heart of Westminster to a standstill today after a suspicious package prompted a full-scale emergency response, which was later revealed to be a box of Christmas cards intended for an MP.
Major Police Operation Paralyzes Political District
The Metropolitan Police rushed to the scene and established a massive security cordon, stretching from the Jewel Tower to Millbank House, following the discovery of the unattended item. The area around the Houses of Parliament was swiftly locked down as officers swarmed the location.
Eyewitnesses reported that members of the public were evacuated from College Green as a precaution. A specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed to assess and neutralise the potential threat, with Sky News and the Mirror covering the high-stakes operation live.
Festive Greetings Cause Festive Panic
After a tense standoff and forensic examination, the so-called suspicious package was declared safe. Authorities confirmed it contained nothing more than festive greeting cards. The box was reportedly part of a delivery destined for a Labour MP, according to Sky News.
One witness described the scene to The Telegraph, stating, "It didn’t look particularly threatening, and once the robot had gone in, we were back on the green after about 45 minutes." They added that they were initially told to move just around the corner before being asked to retreat further as a safety measure.
Significant Disruption Before All-Clear
The incident caused significant disruption throughout the political district during the busy festive period. Pedestrians and tourists were cleared from a wide area while the bomb squad conducted its work. A heavy police presence remained on site until the threat was fully neutralised and the area was reopened.
The Metropolitan Police later confirmed to the Mirror that the package was not deemed suspicious and that the incident had been formally stood down. The event highlights the no-chances approach taken by security forces in protecting the parliamentary estate, even when the cause turns out to be benign.
