Communities minister was target of suspect package

London: An envelope containing suspicious white powder was sent to the communities minister Shahid Malek at the House of Commons, triggering an anti-terrorist investigation.

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 suggest 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. It is understood that the Speaker, John Bercow, and his most senior officials were kept fully informed.

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.

Grateful

Malek, Britain's first Muslim minister, was unavailable for comment but a spokesman said: "Malek 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."

Many high-profile minority politicians endure racist hate mail but Malek has long been a particular target for violent and abusive supporters of the far right.

He secured a majority of 4,615 at the last election but the constituency also returned the highest vote for the British National party.

Last June, the MP was forced to act against YouTube after far-right supporters posted a 39-second clip warning Malek not to "mess with the big boys", cutting from a still of the BNP leader, Nick Griffin, to a shot of the minister covered in blood.

The video was removed from the site after complaints from the MP and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.