White powder in envelope sent to MP triggers Commons terror alert

An envelope containing suspicious white powder was sent to the communities minister, Shahid Malik, at the House of Commons, triggering an anti-terrorist investigation, the Guardian has learned.The envelope sparked a major alert when it was intercepted by security staff, who feared it contained potentially deadly anthrax, on Monday.
Comments on the envelope – which was sent from within the UK – suggest it had been sent by a supporter of the far right or someone purporting to be one.Emergency procedures were activated, but tests proved that the powder was harmless. It is understood that the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, and his most senior officials were kept informed of developments.Detectives are examining the envelope, the written comments and the postmark to try to trace the sender. They want to establish whether this was an isolated incident or the start of a campaign by criminal elements on the far right....
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Picture Left: Shahid Malik. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters