(24 Mar 1998) English/Nat British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Home Secretary Jack Straw moved to reassure the public on Tuesday amid fears that Iraq plans to smuggle deadly anthrax into the country. Straw told parliament the risk was low and security officials were on full alert, while Blair said there was no reason for people to be concerned. Anthrax is a deadly bacteria that normally sickens animals, but the organism can be used as a weapon by releasing its spores into the air. British tabloid, The Sun, claimed on Tuesday that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein plotted to flood Britain with the deadly anthrax. The newspaper theorised the bacteria could be hidden in duty-free bottles of alcohol, cosmetics, cigarette lighters and perfume sprays. The newspaper said a March 18 intelligence document revealed an Iraqi plot to smuggle large quantities of anthrax into 'hostile countries'. A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair's office confirmed on Monday that the document is authentic. Speaking in Paris, Blair said there was no need for people to be concerned. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We've got to be on guard the whole time with Saddam Hussein. It's one of the reasons why it's so important that we took the action that we did in ensuring that the inspectors go back in and inspect the weapon-making capacity so that we can make absolutely sure that there is no question of him developing these weapons of mass destruction. But obviously these reports will come in from time to time. We remain eternally vigilant. That's the sensible thing to do, but there's no need for people to be concerned." SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, British Prime Minister But as a result of the intelligence document, Britain's air and sea ports have been put on alert. Travellers at Heathrow Airport were taking the threat seriously. SOUNDBITE: (English) "There's a possibility that this might happen, and it would actually stop me from buying duty frees for a while, until I knew that the scare was over." SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop SOUNDBITE: (English) "I think its absolutely terrible, that they could do such a thing like that. I mean, how are we going to know whether its in there or not." SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop In London, Britain's Home Secretary (interior minister), Jack Straw, told the House of Commons on Tuesday that intelligence information prompted the alert at air and sea ports. He said it was unlikely that anyone had tried to smuggle anthrax into the U-K, but that the authorities were, nevertheless, alert to the possibility. SOUNDBITE: (English) "There is no evidence to indicate that any attempt has actually been made to smuggle anthrax into this country. There is also no evidence that such an attempt at smuggling might be in prospect. Madam Speaker, the house would not expect me to go into detail about the intelligence which we have, of the specific counter measures which we have taken. We do however, monitor the terrorist threat to the United Kingdom very closely, and we remain vigilant, taking all the necessary precautions." SUPER CAPTION: Jack Straw, British home secretary (interior minister) Earlier, Iraq's Information Ministry said the report was unfounded. And British defence experts also described the risks as being low. SOUNDBITE: (English) SUPER CAPTION: Paul Beaver, Jane's Defence Weekly But with numerous entry points into the country and the high volumes of duty-free goods imported daily, the possibility of chemical weapons arriving in the U-K can never be ignored. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/d2ef029ec1c00116911696e421be5310

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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