UK/FILE: Britain embarrased by last-minute Olympic security shortfall which has forced the military to step in

Record ID: 330845

  • Title: UK/FILE: Britain embarrased by last-minute Olympic security shortfall which has forced the military to step in
  • Date: 12th July 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (FILE - MAY 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS MANNING MISSILES DURING OLYMPIC SECURITY DRILL HELICOPTER LANDING ON HMS OCEAN MILITARY RUNNING TO HELICOPTER HMS OCEAN SAILING THROUGH THAMES BARRIER SOLDIER WITH GUN ON FRONT OF HMS OCEAN
  • Embargoed: 27th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Crime,Conflict,Defence / Military,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5ZKGI1GJHJF6U1I97CHVHKP6U
  • Story Text: Britain's interior minister had to answer questions in parliament on Thursday (July 12) after admitting that she was putting extra troops on standby for Olympic security, just two weeks before the London Games begin, because a private contractor might not meet its commitments.
    "Let me reiterate there is no question of Olympic security being compromised," Home Secretary Theresa May told the chamber as she announced the private contractor G4S would not be able to fullfill its contract.
    The last-minute security hitch is acutely embarrassing for the ruling coalition, with the eyes of the world due to be trained on London for the world's biggest sporting festival, starting on July 27.
    "G4S has let the country down and we have literally had to send in the troops," said opposition Labour politician Keith Vaz in the House of Commons.
    The government faces an awkward balancing act in trying to guarantee security at the Games, which could provide an invitingly high-profile target for Islamic militants and others, while not letting its precautions become so intrusive that they spoil the atmosphere of the Games.
    About 23,700 security guards were due to protect venues as part of Britain's biggest peacetime security operation, and 13,500 military personnel had already been earmarked to contribute to this.
    On Wednesday, the government put an extra 3,500 soldiers on standby after the private security firm G4S said it might not be able to supply the 10,400 security guards it had contracted to provide.
    Opposition Labour Shadow Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell said it was a "serious problem".
    "All our energy and focus should be on solving this, putting in place a solution which will be the deployment of extra staff from the military and obviously making sure that the G4S contract reflects the fact that they delivered less than they promised."
    Former Minister for Olympics Security, Admiral Alan West said G4S totally underestimated the scale of the task.
    "I think it shows there has sort of been a triumph of optimism within G4S, that they thought they could recruit people a little more easily than they can and I think it is unfortunate that this should happen at such short notice and thank goodness we've got military available, who can actually fill the gap," he said.
    Thousands of athletes and officials are expected to start arriving in London this weekend, and the Olympic Village opens its doors on Monday.
    The security guards are needed to provide airport-style checks to search and screen spectators, and can also check vehicles.
    They will be also responsible for queue management and protecting the perimeters and equipment.
    The government has acknowledged that some of the troops required to now work at the Games will have to have leave cancelled, even those just returning from Afganistan.
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