Man held after blast hits Conservative MP Nick Boles' Lincolnshire office

Nick Boles was elected MP for Grantham in 2010

A man has been arrested following a "minor explosion" at the constituency office of Conservative MP Nick Boles in Lincolnshire today.

Mr Boles, the Grantham and Stamford MP, said he understood a home-made device had been thrown through a window at the Conservative Hall in Bourne. He issued a statement condemning the "act of violence" after the blast.

Lincolnshire Police said a 24-year-old local man was helping them with inquiries into the incident. Early indications suggested it was not linked to any wider issues or recent events in the county.

Mr Boles, who serves as a planning minister, said: "Obviously I deplore this act of violence.

"The incident is being investigated by the police and I know that everyone will do whatever they can to support the investigation. In the meantime, we should all carry on doing our jobs as normal."

Police were called at around 1.24am to reports of an explosion at the office in Burghley Street, where Mr Boles holds constituency surgeries.

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended the scene and minor damage had been caused to the building. No one had been hurt.

"Initial inquiries were carried out and a 24-year-old local man was arrested in connection with the incident."

Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area, or anyone with any other information about the incident, is asked to call Detective Inspector Pete Grayson on 101 number or to contact the Crimestoppers service on 0800 555111.