Man, 43, is charged after ‘bomb hoax’ despatched the US Embassy in London into lockdown
A man has been charged after an alleged ‘bomb hoax’ sent the United States Embassy in London into lockdown on Friday.
Daniel Parmenter, 43, was arrested on Sunday after a search of his home address in West London.
He was remanded in custody after a court hearing on Monday and will appear at the Old Bailey on December 23, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
‘There are no current links between this investigation and any similar incidents of reported suspicious packages in recent days,’ the statement added, after other security incidents were flagged – including a bomb threat at Gatwick Airport.
The incident outside the embassy on Friday saw specialist officers rushing to the embassy at 8.40am amid reports of a ‘suspicious package’ having been found.
A police cordon was put up with a ‘loud bang’ heard soon after. The Met Police later confirmed a ‘controlled explosion’ had been carried out by officers.
A statement from the embassy, posted on X at the time, read: ‘Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the U.S. Embassy in London.
‘Met Police are present and have closed Ponton Road out of an abundance of caution. We will provide further updates when available.’
Witnesses said roads around the embassy were closed to traffic and armed police officers and the fire service are at the scene following Friday’s alleged ‘bomb hoax’
The roads around the embassy were closed off in what the embassy called ‘an abundance of caution’ as a controlled explosion was carried out on Friday
Videos from inside the embassy showed dozens of people on the ground floor waiting for the incident to conclude
An American soldier is seen inside the US embassy as British police officers stood guard outside
The force said later: ‘Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down.’
Videos on social media showed dozens of people stuck inside the diplomatic HQ, sitting on floors or standing in corridors.
Friday’s alleged hoax came shortly after another bomb scare at Gatwick Airport that triggered mayhem for thousands of holidaymakers.
The south terminal building was plunged into chaos after a suspicious package was discovered in a passenger’s luggage.
Airport bosses began probing a piece of baggage shortly after 8am before ordering passengers to leave.
Eyewitnesses said even passengers who were going through security were being evacuated from the airport, near Crawley in West Sussex.
Those who made it ‘airside’ were taken to Gate 31, at the furthest reaches of the terminal, for safety.
Sussex Police said it had been called to the South Terminal at 8.20am following the discovery of ‘suspected prohibited item in luggage’.
Crowds of passengers wait outside Gatwick Airport as numerous flights were delayed
Passengers stand outside Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal in the freezing cold following the security alert yesterday
A bomb squad was deployed to the busy terminal as a ‘precaution’.
The incident caused mass disruption to outbound and inbound flights with more than 50 departures and arrivals cancelled, and British Airways halting at least 30 departures to Spain, Portugal, Trinidad and Islamabad.
Thousands of passengers were seen standing in icy conditions outside the airport’s terminal building.
Others were seen running through corridors at Britain’s second busiest airport.
However, the Gatwick later confirmed the security incident had been resolved.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
