Surface-to-air missiles could be used to protect London Olympics, says Defence Secretary

[richard]

Surface-to-air missiles could be used to protect the skies over London during the Olympics, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said today as he insisted 'all necessary measures' will be taken to ensure security.

Mr Hammond told the Commons 'appropriate ground to air defences' could be in place if that was recommended by the military.

His comments came as it was reported that the US was prepared to send up to 1,000 of its own agents, including 500 from the FBI, to look after the US's contestants and diplomats at the event in a sign of unease at the security operation.

And the body organising the Olympics has started a recruitment drive to double the number of security guards at the Games after admitting it had underestimated how many would be required - but the new recruits may have to be funded by the MoD.
Missile: Military weaponry could be used to defend the London Olympics (file photo)

Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox raised the issue of Olympics security with his successor in Parliament today.

Dr Fox, forced to quit following allegations over his links with his self-styled adviser Adam Werritty, said surface-to-air missiles had been used at Olympic Games since Atlanta in 1996.

The former minister said: 'Since the Atlanta Games there has been an internationally accepted minimal level of protection for the Olympics.'

He asked Mr Hammond to confirm 'there will be a full level of multi-layered defence and deterrence for the London Games, including ground-to-air based missiles in London'.

The Defence Secretary told him: 'I can assure you that all necessary measures to ensure the security and safety of the London Olympic Games will be taken including, if the advice of the military is that it is required, including appropriate ground-to-air defences.'

The Guardian reported today that US officials have raised 'repeated concerns' about security.

The restriction of the scope of anti-terrorism stop-and-search powers is claimed to be one of their reasons for concern.

The Home Office has insisted that the International Olympic Committee has 'full confidence' in the security plan for the Games, and added that the U.S. had also expressed confidence in the plans.

But it also emerged today that the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) has underestimated the number of security guards needed nationally for the event.

Locog had originally thought it would need 10,000 guards, but, after a review over the summer, now believes it will need up to 21,000, according to the Guardian.

Security firm G4S, which won the contract to provide initial security for the Games, is said to be this week preparing a recruitment drive to make up the shortfall.

However, Locog has reportedly asked the Ministry of Defence for help after discovering it does not have enough money to pay for the extra security staff.

It also does not believe G4S has time to complete the extra recruitment programme, according to reports.

The MoD is said to have offered 3,000 soldiers, and another 2,000 reserves to Locog, a move that has angered some.

'What have they been doing for the last five years?', an Olympic official told the Guardian.

'There is less than a year to go and they've only just realised they need twice the number of security guards they first thought.

'Where is the money to pay for this coming from? It is an extra burden on the defence budget that we could well do without.'

The Home Office spokesman added: 'The Government, Locog and G4S are working together to finalise the requirement for venue security and as is common at major events in the UK we will make the best and most appropriate use of all available resources.'

A MoD spokesman confirmed the department is 'working with the Home Office' on Games security but would not confirm any fixed numbers.

Security firm G4S told the Guardian it was confident of being able to recruit 10,000 security guards. It claimed that it could even recruit more if given more time.

A call to Locog was not immediately returned, while the U.S. state department declined to comment. The FBI was not available.


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