Royal secrets found in carrier bag

PRINCESS Anne could have been targeted by terrorists after top-secret security details were left lying in the street - inside a SHOPPING BAG.

The sensitive documents outlined EVERY aspect of an imminent visit to Scotland by the Princess Royal.

And experts warned that the consequences could have been catastrophic.

Terrorism specialist David Capitanchik, of Aberdeen University, blasted: "Had a guerilla organisation got these papers it'd have been disastrous."

The documents, which included print-outs of e-mails, were discovered this week in a street in South Queensferry, Midlothian.

The messages discuss a planned trip to the nearby Dalmeny Estate.

In one e-mail, sent by Lothian and Borders Police to estate bosses, details of the number of officers to be used to guard Princess Anne (left) are given.

And the documents also reveal exact times and locations of the 59-year-old's engagements.

The highly confidential documents were in an envelope marked simply "Homework" which was inside a carrier bag full of shopping.

The passer-by who found it has asked to remain anonymous. But the local told us: "It looked as though it had just been discarded or dropped.

"I was absolutely gobsmacked when I saw what was inside the envelope. I started to panic and think about what could have happened had this bag been picked up by the wrong person."

Last night Lothian and Borders Police confirmed they were investigating the blunder after we handed over the documents.

One theory is that an estate worker printed off the emails to take them home. But a Dalmeny spokesman said: "That's absurd. We will let the police investigate."

• Horse guard's depraved

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