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Security planning for 2012 Games is falling behind, says Boris Johnson
Martin Bentham and Ellen Widdup15.07.08
Boris Johnson today warned that security planning for the Olympics is falling behind as he called for urgent action to speed up preparations.
He told MPs that the slow pace of 2012 security preparations was a "serious issue for concern" that he had already raised with ministers. He said concrete plans needed to be established very soon to ensure the games took place safely and securely without inconveniencing the public.
Mr Johnson's warning echoes concerns already expressed by Met assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who is in charge of running the Olympic security operations.
Appearing before the Commons home affairs select committee, Mr Johnson said: "I think it is vital that we establish very soon what the security architecture is going to be. Are we going to have police milling around, are we going to have lots of security arches, are we going to rely on intelligence?"
He said his concerns had been raised with Olympics' organisersand he has spoken to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith about the problems.
• The design for the 2012 aquatic centre was picked despite obvious design flaws, it was revealed today. The panel responsible for selecting the scheme were warned the building would have a timber ceiling prone to maintenance and that costs to convert it after the games could spiral.
But, according to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act, the jury voted for the plan by architect Zaha Hadid. The cost of the building has trebled to £303 million.
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