Lords call for EU help over Olympic security
London's Olympic Park in Stratford is beginning to take shape
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Wednesday, 11, Mar 2009 10:51
The House of Lords' European Union committee has called on London Olympic organisers to involve the EU in the event of a terrorist strike during the Games.
Peers have claimed that the EU should also be involved in the security planning for the event, which should be framed around all five host boroughs rather than just the Olympic Park area.
Committee chairman Lord Jopling said: "It is increasingly clear that the 2012 Olympics could be a prime target for terrorists.
"It is vital that the government takes every possible step to ensure that other EU member states are fully prepared to assist the UK in the case of a potential attack.
"We are surprised that this process is not already in hand and we recommend the government begin liaising with the MIC as a matter of urgency."
The idea of involving the EU – through its monitoring and information centre (MIC) – in event preparation is not without precedent.
During the 2004 European Championships Portugal asked for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear decontamination teams to be kept on standby.
The government is committed to keeping Olympic security costs at £600 million.