Suspicious Package Sent To Jo Swinson Sparks Police Probe At Westminster

Officers investigated powder said to have been sent to the Lib Dem leader's office.
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Jo Swinson, leader of the Liberal Democrats
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Police rushed to Westminster this morning amid reports a suspicious package was delivered to Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson’s office. 

The Met Police said officers were called at around 9.50am to the third floor of Portcullis House, a building on the parliamentary estate where most MPs’ offices are, and cordoned off while they investigated. 

Officers said a small amount of powder was being assessed and that no-one was injured during the incident. 

A spokesman for Swinson said in a statement: “I can confirm that a suspect package was this morning delivered to Jo Swinson’s parliamentary office. 

“The staff immediately notified the police who attended and have now assessed the package as non-suspicious. We would like to thank the parliamentary authorities and the police for their swift response this morning.

“All further questions should be directed to the Metropolitan Police.”

It is thought a member of staff opened the package and alerted the police. Swinson was not in the office at the time. 

An evacuation of the premises was not ordered and the floor was reopened later in the morning. 

It comes as MPs prepare for a snap general election with the safety of female candidates a key concern for parties as Brexit continues to divide the country. 

HuffPost UK has contacted the Lib Dems for comment.