Terrorist Scare at UK, Gatwick Airport Evacuated

UPDATE: Arrest at Gatwick airport

Police have confirmed they have arrested a man suspected of discarding a package at the North Terminal of Gatwick airport.

Specialists have been called to the airport to investigate the item. The terminal has been evacuated, and some flights have been delayed.  

Detective Superintendent Nick May said: “At this time, we are investigating the circumstances of the incident and it is too early to say what the item may be. 

“However, given the events in Paris on Friday evening, there is heightened awareness around any such incident and it is best that we treat the matter in all seriousness. 

“We are aware that there is concern about what has happened in France, but the general threat level remains the same and people should be aware as usual of anyone acting suspiciously.”

BREAKING: #Gatwick #airport evacuated. Emergency services on high alert. Heightened security after #ParisAttacks.

Gatwick terminal evacuated over suspicious package.

The North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport has been evacuated. 

Sussex Police told the BBC they are dealing with a suspicious package. 

Connor Gillies, a Capital FM news reporter, tweeted above picture showing people making their way outside the terminal.    

#Parisattacks: In London, the Lord Mayor’s Show will go ahead as planned “in solidarity with Paris”, with the Lord Mayor leading a two minute silence from the balcony at The Mansion House at 11:00 GMT, the City of London Corporation says.

Union flags will be flying at half-mast at Guildhall, The Mansion House and Old Bailey, and Tower Bridge will be lit in the colours of the Tricolor from sundown tonight.

Putin offers condolences, Assad comments

The Kremlin press service has published the text of a telegram sent by President Putin to Francois Hollande earlier today.  

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to you personally and all the people of France in connection with the death of a large number of civilians as a result of an unprecedented series of terrorist attacks in Paris,” Mr Putin wrote.

“This tragedy became another evidence of barbaric nature of terrorism which poses a challenge to human civilization. It is obvious that effective fight against this evil requires a real combined effort of the entire international community.

“I would like to confirm that the Russian side is ready for the closest possible cooperation with French partners in the investigation of this crime committed in Paris. I expect that its paymasters and perpetrators will be punished.”

Mr Putin’s ally Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, has also made a statement on the attacks, taking the opportunity to make his own case in the process.

“What France suffered from savage terror is what the Syrian people have been enduring for over five years,” he was quoted as saying by Syrian state media.

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