Suspicious package at Glasgow University ‘linked with those sent to London’

A suspicious package sent to a Scottish university is believed to be linked to the three explosive devices sent to transport hubs in London on Tuesday, Police Scotland has said.

Several buildings at the University of Glasgow were evacuated and nearby roads closed after the discovery on Wednesday morning.

A controlled explosion was carried out on the device which is being investigated by Police Scotland counter-terrorism officers.

Later on Wednesday evening, the force confirmed teams from Scotland and the Metropolitan Police were working closely together to share any information or intelligence.

It comes after packages arrived at London's Waterloo railway station and offices at Heathrow and London City airports on Tuesday.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, of Police Scotland, said: “The package sent to the university was not opened and no-one was injured. A controlled explosion of the device was carried out this afternoon by EOD.

“There are similarities in the package, its markings and the type of device that was recovered in Glasgow to those in London. Therefore, we are now treating it as being linked to the three packages being investigated by the Met in London and both investigations are being run in tandem.

“Our enquiries into the Glasgow package are at an early stage but there is no ongoing risk to the public.

“The package in Glasgow was identified by alert staff at the university mailroom who had received protective security information advising them to be vigilant and to report suspicious packages.

“The same advice has already been sent to a range of businesses, including transport hubs and mail sorting companies, and will now also be sent to those in the education sector.

“Anyone who sees something suspicious should report it to the police immediately.''

The packages reported in London on Tuesday were posted with Irish stamps and had Dublin as the return address, prompting Irish police to join the investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said the latest package contained a “similar-type device'' to those sent to the London hubs on Tuesday.

Commander Clarke Jarrett, from the Met's counter-terrorism command, said: “Due to similarities in the package, its markings and the type of device that was recovered in Glasgow, we are treating it as being linked to the three packages we're investigating in London.

“We are working very closely with our colleagues from Police Scotland and both investigations are being run in tandem.

“We continue to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and one such line is the possibility that the packages have come from Ireland.

“However, we are still keeping an open mind with regards who may be responsible and any possible motivation.

“Our utmost priority is to ensure the safety of the public and staff working with mail. We have issued extensive advice to transport hubs and mail sorting companies to be vigilant for and report suspicious packages to police.

“Following today's developments in Glasgow, we have extended this advice to others including reiterating it to those in the education sector. As always, we encourage anyone who sees something suspicious to report it to police immediately.''

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, the senior national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said earlier on Wednesday no link had been made with Irish dissidents at this stage.

Security sources suggested the packages' Irish insignia may have been a “concerted attempt'' to make them appear as though they were posted from Ireland, but could not rule out that they had been.

All were A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags and appeared capable of igniting a small fire when opened.

The stamps appeared to be those issued by the Irish postal service for Valentine's Day 2018, featuring a heart motif and the words “Love Eire N''.

The senders' addresses were given as Dublin, with two having adding coach operator Bus Eireann.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said he was embarrassed at the possibility the packages may have come from Dublin.

Appearing on the Independent.ie Floating Voter podcast, he said: “I read reports about that as it was breaking yesterday with dismay really, a combination of anger and embarrassment.

“I think the perception in the UK of this will be one of bemusement, as to why anyone would want to send any small explosive devices into London from Dublin, the fact that that could happen and come from Dublin is something I and many other people will be uncomfortable with.

“Everyone needs to isolate and criticise that kind of warped thinking for what it is, which is unhelpful on every level."