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The former head of security for the 2012 Olympics has warned that time is running out to effectively police the games. Tarique Ghaffur, who up until the autumn was in charge of ensuring security for the three weeks of sports, claims security planning is being undermined by cost-cutting and delays at the Home Office. Writing in the Daily Telegraph the former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police explicitly warns that time is running out and the £600 million security budget is "inadequate"
'Sidelined from project'
Ghaffur retired from the force after suing then settling over a racial discrimination case where he singled out ex Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. He had been working on the Olympic security plan for two years and complained of being sidelined and marginalised on the basis of race and age. However his dispute with Sir Ian saw security planning being handed to the Home Office which has tied up the project.
Plans delayed
Yesterday Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had to announce a third delay in delivering a detailed security budget, one was promised last year, the this September, and again for the end of this year - now it seems one won't be made public until early new year. Former Home Office minister John Patten, claimed last week that political in-fighting threatened to undermine police and intelligence agency efforts to ensure a safe Olympics. Ghaffur wrote: "In a world of international terrorist threats, chemical and biological weaponry and electronic sabotage, London needs a robust and effective security plan in place to protect the city and those attending the 2012 Games, from what I have seen and heard since I left the force I am concerned that there will be no time to deliver this ambition."
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