GATWICK and Newhaven ports were on alert today to counter a threat by Saddam Hussein to flood Britain with deadly anthrax hidden in duty-free goods.
The ports were warned this morning after the Government confirmed intelligence reports that the Iraqi dictator planned to use the killer bacteria if his country came under military attack. Even a tiny amount of anthrax can cause internal bleeding and death within days, but Government ministers are countering panic. A Customs spokesman said: "We will be working closely with Special Branch and our intelligence service." The alert warns customs officers to be on the look out for items which might contain the anthrax bacteria, such as perfume bottles, cigarette lighters and bottles of drink.
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