Bomb explodes in Ulster Unionist offices

Bomb explodes in Ulster Unionist offices

Bomb explodes in Ulster Unionist offices

A letter bomb partially exploded this morning at the Ulster Unionist Party headquarters in Belfast.

The blast at the east Belfast base of David Trimble’s UUP injured nobody.

However, the package was reportedly addressed directly to the former Northern Ireland Assembly leader and Nobel prizewinner.

The bomb partially detonated at around 1100 BST on Monday when it was opened, causing minimal damage.

The device included some matches attached to a video cassette. Army explosives experts were called in to the Holywood Road offices and are currently inspecting the bomb.

Ulster Unionist spokesman David McNarry said the offices were still in business following the blast.

The bomb follows the decision to postpone elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The devolved parliament at Stormont remains suspended following allegations of IRA intelligence gathering last year.

Mr Trimble was First Minister of the Assembly until it was dissolved