Controlled explosion carried out on suspicious item near Scottish Parliament Published duration 17 December 2019

image caption A bomb disposal robot examined the item before the controlled explosion took place

A controlled explosion has been carried out on a suspicious package in a street near the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Police Scotland were called to Holyrood Road, close to the junction with The Pleasance, at 13:35.

The force later said the device was not viable and did not pose any risk to the public.

Roads which had been closed while emergency services dealt with the incident have now been reopened.

Det Insp Bruce Coutts said: "I would like to thank local residents, businesses and road users affected by this incident for their patience.

"We are continuing with inquiries to establish the full circumstances and a police presence will be retained in the area while this work is carried out."

A bomb disposal robot examined the item in Gullan's Close before the controlled explosion was carried out.

One side of the road in Holyrood Park travelling west to east was closed and a cordon was put in place.