A device that exploded at the headquarters of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) in east Belfast this morning had the potential to cause serious injury, police said today.
A PSNI spokeswoman said British army technical officers had examined the device, which partially exploded at the offices on the Holywood Road at 11 a.m. The device was made up of a video cassette and other components.
UUP sources said the device was sent to the party leader Mr David Trimble and was opened by a member of staff.
"It appears to have been in a Jiffy Bag and contained matches attached to a video cassette which ignited when it was opened," a source said.
"At this stage it is difficult to know whether there was any significant quantity of explosives.
No claim of responsibility for the incident has yet been made.