Specialist officers scrambled to the scene in Westminster and nobody was allowed to leave Number 10 or the Cabinet Office, according to Telegraph journalist Steven Swinford. A “bomb disposal ROV on site” was also sent to the scene, according to a witness. Pictures from the scene show sniffer dogs and a large police presence.

Sharing a picture of the rover, Twitter user Spud wrote: “Black lab seemed to spend some time around lights. Sending in spaniel now.”

Liz Rawlings, political producer for BBC Newsnight, also shared pictures of the police cordon, adding: “Police operation on Whitehall. Bomb disposal unit here – it’s Westminster – this sort of thing happens all the time. Could be serious, could be someone’s lunchbox.”

Westminster Metropolitan Police tweeted earlier: “Temporary road closures in place around Whitehall whilst suspect item assessed.

“Police attended at 1201hrs today. Specialist officers are now in attendance.”

They later tweeted: “The force tweeted about an hour later that the item has been assessed and found to not be suspicious.

“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.”

More to follow.

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