VIPs to get personal bodyguard for Olympics

[divingbrit]

VIPs will be assigned their own personal police bodyguard at the 2012 Olympics, it has been revealed.

Each of the 120 heads of state or government will be accompanied by a “personal protection officer” from the Metropolitan Police, according to guidance sent out to embassies.

Heads of state or government will be met by a “volunteer officer” provided by the Foreign Office who will have “experience of the culture, politics and language of the country concerned”.

Official entourages must be kept to a maximum of four, which will have to include the VIP’s own security personnel.

They have been advised to fly into Heathrow - but if they wish to fly by private jet, they must arrive at a different airport due to capacity problems.

Heads of state will receive free tickets to the Opening and Closing ceremonies, and will be allowed to take one guest. But other members of the entourage, including each country’s ambassador, will have to buy their own tickets. They will be allowed to buy up to three tickets from organisers Locog on a first-come-first-served basis from May 23.

Embassies will be offered a limousine from the official fleet of cars provided by sponsor BMW, but they have been encouraged to make their own “flag car” available if possible.

Each head of state will have two passes for use of their cars on the controversial Olympic Route Network. But they will not be able to be used for the opening and closing ceremonies when transport to the stadium will only be by “secure coach transfer” from central London.

Locog warned: “There is extremely limited parking at all venues, and dignitary convoys will be kept to a minimum.”

Mirror.co.uk