Moleworth Street is closed off after staff at Parliament
were evacuated in a bomb scare. Credit:NZPA / Ross Setford
Prime Minister John Key hunkered down in a bar this
morning after a bomb scare meant he couldn't go to his office.
Mr Key and Cabinet Minister Steven Joyce and their staff this
morning sheltered from the rain during the bomb scare at
local watering hole The Occidental.
The pub is a parliamentary institution and the ministers and
about 15 staff used the opportunity to grab a bite to eat.
"It's not the normal start to a Monday morning
unfortunately," Mr Key told NZPA.
Business continued as Mr Key got emails on his phone and
discussed issues with Mr Joyce.
However, it was too far to say Cabinet had reconvened in the
pub.
"It won't be Cabinet but it's the first time I've had
breakfast here, delicious."
Beehive staff have now returned to their offices after the
scare.
The whole executive wing was evacuated when the package was
found about 8am by an arriving worker in Agriculture Minister
David Carter's office on the fifth floor of the Beehive.
The building was evacuated and police set up a cordon,
closing down Molesworth St and adjacent streets.
Police donned special equipment before heading up to the
fifth floor, but staff were told just after 10.30am they
could return to the building.
Mr Key said the necessary safety precautions were taken and
Cabinet this morning has been rescheduled to take place at
Premier House.
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