UK: 2 in hospital after suspicious package at MP office

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

Two people were taken to a London hospital Monday afternoon in a “precautionary” measure after a suspicious package was received at a British MP’s office at Westminster Palace.

The package was sent to Muslim Labour MP Mohammad Yasin, according to local media reports.

“We are aware of a potential situation involving a suspicious substance which the Met Police are investigating,” a parliamentary spokesperson said.

“There has been no evacuation, but the affected area has been cordoned off.”

Emergency services were called to the Norman Shaw Building, which hosts some parliamentary offices, “at 12.58 p.m. to reports of a suspicious package at Norman Shaw Buildings, Victoria Embankment, Westminster,” a police statement said.

The package is being assessed by specialist officers, according to the police.

“London Ambulance Service attended. A man and a woman have been taken to a central London hospital as a precaution,” a statement said.

The incident follows reports of an Islamophobic hate letter circulating across the U.K. touting a so-called "Punish a Muslim Day" on April 3. The letter posted to some addresses and on social media urges terrorist and violent acts against Muslims in the U.K.