Parliament evacuated due to suspicious package

The Houses of Parliament were evacuated this lunch time after police were alerted to a suspicious package found near the x-ray machines just before 1.00 pm. 

Although the package turned out to be benign, that didn't stop traffic grinding to a halt as officers cordoned off Parliament Square. Police called off the security alert after examining the package.

Although the alert has been officially "stood down", the Evening Standard is reporting the package did contain a "device", but no further details are available at this time. 

Looks like it's panic over at Westminster, everyone allowed to leave PCH and head to palace again. No bomb.

— Kate McCann (@KateEMcCann) June 19, 2014