A man was trying to sneak into the Houses of Parliament with a mysterious liquid that could have been acid when he was stopped by police.
A man was attempting to smuggle liquid into a miniature bottle with him when security concerns erupted on Friday. Armed police arrested him.
He was accused of possessing an article for criminal damage and was taken into custody at Parliament’s Westminster Hall.
On Friday, there was a significant security breach when armed police arrested a man for trying to smuggle small amounts of mystery liquid with them (File image).
The Sun was told by a source that the liquid came in a small container and could have been ‘acid’ or an “agent”.
The mystery substance was also tested on Saturday night, and the man was taken into custody at a central London police station.
Also, background checks were done on the man.
According to the Metropolitan Police, “He was found with a miniature bottle of alcohol which was confiscated from his at the search station.”
The man was searched at a security checkpoint and then removed from the tour group that he was on at Westminster Hall in Houses of Parliament.
“Enquiries are ongoing in order to confirm the liquid and the reasons why it was given to the man.”
“The incident is being treated as not terror-related.”
According to a source, the bottle looked like acid or an accelerator when it was opened.
Last week, Conservative MP Sir David Amess (69) was stabbed in the neck at his Southend West constituency surgery near Leigh-on-Sea.
After the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, the killing of the second parliamentarian has sparked widespread concern about the safety of British politicians.
Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, confirmed that an attack on a MP was likely last week after intelligence officers increased the threat level to politicians to’substantial.
On Wednesday evening, she asked the Commons to seriously consider the ‘changes of risk’ after a review conducted by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre. This centre is closely linked to MI5.
Priti Patel, Home Secretary, urged the Commons to consider the ‘changes in risk’ after a review by Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (MI5).
A new attack on a MP is possible in the wake of the murder of Sir David Amess (pictured). Intelligence officers raised the threat level for politicians to “substantial”.
Priti Patel, counter-terror officer, stated that the ‘change will properly reflect in the operational posture’ after the killing of Sir David.
She stated that while we don’t have any intelligence or information that points to any credible, specific or imminent threat to the House, I must inform the House that the threat level facing the Members of Parliament is now considered substantial.
“This is the same level of the current national threat to Britain as a whole, so I am able to assure the House that our world-class security and intelligence agencies and counter-terrorpolice will now ensure that this change in operational posture is properly reflected.”