Elderly couple bailed on suspicion of hoax threats

A police spokeswoman confirmed that a 63-year-old man and 71-year-old woman had been arrested at a residential premises in the Littlehampton area by officers from the Metropolitan Police's anti-terrorist branch on May 3, under section 114 of the Anti Terrorist and Security Act.

She said that no charges had been brought against the pair, who have since been bailed by police pending the full investigation.

It is unclear what noxious substances, if any, were involved in the case and the nature of the threats that may have been made.

There was a rumour anthrax was involved in the threat, but police would neither confirm nor deny that.

For several months police from the anti-terrorist squad have been in West Sussex investigating correspondence sent to a London address from the Littlehampton area but would confirm no details other than it was in London.

The potential link to Tony and Cherie Blair appears after the revelation that a newspaper cutting which mentioned Mrs Blair was one of the items sent to the London address.

The media black-out on details and the involvement of anti-terrorist squad officers also suggests a threat to a person or people of prominence, such as the Blairs, although no link has been confirmed by police.

The couple are due to return to an undisclosed police station in West Sussex in June where they could be either released or charged.

Section 114 of the Anti Terrorist and Security Act 2001, passed soon after September 11, deals specifically with hoaxes involving noxious substances or things.

It states that a person is guilty if they place or post an item or substance with the intention of making the recipient believe it is or contains a noxious substance and may endanger their life or health.

A person will also be guilty for making a hoax threat about a noxious item or substance that will lead to the recipient believing their life or health is in danger.

Conviction under the Act carries a prison-term of up to seven years.