All politicians and staff who manage their postbags at the new Holyrood building and in constituency offices across Scotland will receive a video and advice warning of the terrorist threat.
The move by the parliament’s security officials comes after several politicians received suspicious packages in the post and a series of security breaches at the new parliament.
In 2002, white powder poured out of a suspect package opened by a secretary in Jack McConnell’s Motherwell and Wishaw constituency headquarters. Police later confirmed that the substance was not anthrax, as feared, but talcum powder.
The incident happened amid heightened security concerns after lethal anthrax spores were sent to American politicians after the September 11 attacks.
At the time, letters containing caustic soda, crudely disguised as aromatherapy oils, were delivered to Cherie Blair, the prime minister’s wife, and to the secretary of Mike Rumbles, the English-born Liberal Democrat MSP.
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Parliament officials are particularly concerned that MSPs and their staff could “come into contact with packages containing a toxin or explosive device”.
A spokesman said: “An in-house video has been produced and will be used for training on how to look out for any suspicious packages.”
The move follows a series of security breaches at Holyrood ahead of its official opening by the Queen next month.
Last week journalists posing as workmen gained access to the offices of Jack McConnell. Earlier this month journalists were allowed into the building without security passes on three separate occasions.