Suspicious package prompts partial evacuation of British parliament

LONDON - Part of the British Parliament was evacuated Monday morning after a suspicious package was discovered,local media reported.

People in the offices of Portcullis House, a building opposite the Houses of Parliament, were turned away on Monday after a suspect package was found.

However, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the package "had later been confirmed as non-suspicious and the security alert had been stepped down," reported British newspaper The Independent.

Portcullis House, that houses offices of British Members of Parliament, sits above the Westminster station, which remains closed.

Police motorbikes could be seen blocking cars and members of public from entering the road, local media reported.