British police are searching for potentially dangerous mail after a package containing what they called a caustic substance was mailed to Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street residence.

Security officials discovered the package at Mr. Blair's official residence after detectives received a telephone warning from a man who said he represents a little-known group called the Scottish National Liberation Army.

The caller said 15 similar packages had been sent to other political targets. In addition to the chemicals discovered at 10 Downing Street, police say a similar package was sent to a member of the Scottish parliament.

Mr. Blair is in Australia for a Commonwealth summit. No one at Downing Street was harmed by the corrosive chemicals. British police say the caustic substances, which typically have a burning or corrosive effect, were labeled as eucalyptus oil. A British official is quoted as saying the packages are not putting anyone in danger.

There are some extremist splinter groups of Scottish nationalists, but none is known for violent acts. Mainstream Scottish nationalists are condemning the attack, calling it "pathetic and criminal".

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Email this article to a friend
Printer Friendly Version