Tourist arrested outside Buckingham Palace with 'mini-taser on his keyring' released by police

A tourist who was arrested outside Buckingham Palace with a mini-taser on a keyring has been released by police.

Scotland Yard said officers were satisfied that the possession of the device was a “genuine error” on the 38-year-old’s part, and “posed no threat”.

The man, a visitor to London from the Netherlands, was released without further action by police on Sunday evening.

Police said the man had been detained at the tourist hotspot in central London on “suspicion of possessing a firearm” at about 12.45pm on Sunday.

The man had been stopped by security staff.

In a statement, police said: “Officers were satisfied that his possession of the device - which was low-powered and part of a keyring – was a genuine error on his part, and that he posed no threat.

“The man was released without further action on Sunday evening.

“Officers are reminding visitors to the United Kingdom to ensure that any items that they are carrying comply with legislation in the UK.

“This includes small knives and personal Taser-type devices, both of which may be considered offensive weapons or in breach of strict UK firearms laws.”