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Shahid Malik was target of suspect package
A package containing suspicious white powder was sent to Pakistani-origin UK Communities Minister Shahid Malik, triggering an anti-terrorist probe in the House of Commons.
A package containing suspicious white powder was sent to Pakistani-origin UK Communities Minister Shahid Malik, triggering an anti-terrorist probe in the House of Commons.
The package was sent to Malik at the House of Commons.
The letter, sent from within the UK, led to a major alert on Monday as it was intercepted by security screening staff who feared it held potentially deadly anthrax.
Comments on the envelope suggested it was sent by a supporter of the far right or someone purporting to be one. Emergency procedures were activated and the powder was tested and found to be harmless.
Detectives are examining the envelope, the written comments and the postmark to try and trace the sender.
They want to establish whether this is an isolated incident or the beginning of a campaign by criminal elements on the far right, local media reported.
Malik, Britain's first Muslim minister, was not available for comment but a spokesman said: "Malik is grateful to the police and very grateful to the parliamentary authorities for their alertness and dedication in ensuring the safety of all correspondence to parliamentarians.
He has been in his Dewsbury constituency all week and will continue serving constituents and carrying out his ministerial duties."
