Hoax device blown up outside SDLP office

Army bomb experts carried out two controlled explosions today on a suspect device outside the west Belfast offices of SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood.

The device was later declared to be a hoax.

It is the second time in 10 days that a package has been left outside Mr Attwood’s offices on the Andersonstown Road. The last object was also declared a hoax by the security forces.

It is believed that dissident republicans have been targeting Mr Attwood because of his membership of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Four weeks ago, a letter bomb addressed to Mr Attwood was sent to the Belfast headquarters of the Policing Board. The device, which was packed with bolts, was defused and no one was injured.