UPDATE 1-Suspect package sparks brief security alert near UK parliament

Police cordoned off roads near parliament on Wednesday after a suspect package sparked a brief security alert.

The incident happened around Embankment Gardens near the Ministry of Defence, to the north of the Houses of Parliament.

"A controlled explosion was carried out. The incident has been stood down and the package has been deemed non-suspicious," a police spokeswoman said later. 

(With inputs from agencies.)