Police give all-clear after Whitehall lockdown to investigate ‘suspect item’
Police closed off Whitehall earlier this afternoon to investigate a “suspect item”.
Road closures were in place around the centre of government after the Metropolitan Police got to the scene at 12.01pm.
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“Specialist officers are now in attendance”, the Met said shortly after midday, confirming that the suspect item was being “assessed”.
Officers later gave the all-clear to the item, saying: "Happy to update the item concerned has now been fully assessed and deemed non-suspicious. Roads will be reopened shortly. Thanks again for your patience and cooperation."
Happy to update the item concerned has now been fully assessed and deemed non-suspicious. Roads will be reopened shortly. Thanks again for your patience and cooperation
— Westminster Police | Central West BCU (@MPSWestminster) May 23, 2019
Earlier the Met tweeted: “Temporary road closures in place around Whitehall whist suspect item assessed. Police attended at 1201hrs today. Specialist officers are now in attendance. Thank you for your patience.”
Temporary road closures in place around Whitehall whist suspect item assessed. Police attended at 1201hrs today. Specialist officers are now in attendance. Thank you for your patience
— Westminster Police | Central West BCU (@MPSWestminster) May 23, 2019
Steven Swinford, the deputy political editor of the Telegraph, reported that nobody was being allowed in or out of 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office, adding: "Not clear why."
Whitehall currently closed off due to security incident.
No one being let in or out of No 10 or Cabinet Office.
Not clear why
— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) May 23, 2019
Meanwhile Telegraph journalist Tony Diver said a police robot had driven down Whitehall towards parliament followed by an officer accompanied by a police dog.
I’m on Downing Street. Have just seen a robot drive down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament, followed by police with a dog. https://t.co/rRbnrPFEzD
— Tony Diver (@Tony_Diver) May 23, 2019
Talk Radio's political editor, Ross Kempsell, tweeted to say: "Part of Whitehall closed. No one being let in or out of number of govt buildings."
https://twitter.com/rosskempsell/status/1131521711776718849
Number 10 and the Cabinet Office declined to comment.
Earlier today Prime Minister Theresa May made a U-turn on her Brexit bill, opting to delay the publication of the withdrawal agreement after the leader of the Commons, Andrea Leadsom, resigned last night.
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May's spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is listening to her colleagues about the Bill and will be having further discussions.”
Leadsom yesterday claimed a second referendum would be "dangerously divisive" for the UK, after the bill was revealed to have a stipulation allowing MPs to take a vote on holding a second Brexit vote.