Security alert at Bute House

Bute House is Jack McConnell's official residence

Jack McConnell was at the centre of a security alert after a man was seen outside his official residence carrying what appeared to be a bomb.

The first minister's neighbours spotted the 39-year-old, who was wearing combat fatigues, acting strangely near Bute House in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

The suspect was taken to a police station where he was assessed and sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

It was later found that he was carrying nothing harmful.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "We were called to Bute House on June 8 at 9.15pm following reports of a man acting suspiciously outside and carrying items.

Party gatecrasher

"He was taken to a local police station before being medically assessed and as a result he was taken to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, where he was detained under the Mental Health Act."

Two years ago a drunken woman tricked her way into a party at the first minister's official residence.

Joan Nyiam later appeared in court and was given a caution after pleading guilty to a breach of the peace.

The sheriff told Ms Nyiam, 47, she had been "silly rather than malicious", when she talked her way past security guards at Bute House.

He's probably never even met the First Minister but he was not well and this dispute may well have been all in his head Police spokesman

The incident prompted a review of security arrangements around Mr McConnell.

Neither Jack McConnell nor his wife Bridget is believed to have been at home at the time of the incident.

The 39-year-old man at the centre of the scare was taken away to the city's Gayfield Police Station after telling police that he had an "on-going dispute with Mr McConnell".

A police spokeswoman said: "He's probably never even met the First Minister but he was not well and this dispute may well have been all in his head.

"He probably caused fear and alarm to the neighbour who spotted and reported him. But he came away from Bute House without any fuss, he was quite compliant."

Mr McConnell's spokeswoman said: "We never comment on the First Minister's security arrangements."