Grievance behind Parliament security alert

A man disgruntled about the possible closure of a school sparked the major security alert at Parliament yesterday.

Officials closed the Lambton Quay entrance to all vehicles about 11am and restricted access at the Museum St entrance. The restrictions were lifted at 3pm.

The alert was set off by a letter sent to a school in northern Hawkes Bay, police confirmed last night.

The letter writer said he supported the fight to keep the school open, and referred to "the use of explosives to blow up Parliament buildings", said acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Smith, of Gisborne.

A 38-year-old man was arrested in Wairoa yesterday afternoon and charged with threatening to destroy property.