Missiles ‘could be fired to protect Olympics from terrorist attack’
Missiles could be fired in London to protect the Olympic Games from terrorist attack, Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, announced yesterday.
Missiles could be fired in London to protect the Olympic Games from terrorist attack, Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, announced yesterday.
Mr Hammond said “all necessary measures” would be taken to ensure security at the games, including “appropriate ground to air defences”, if such action is recommended by the military.
The announcement came as it emerged that America had repeatedly raised concerns about security at the Games and was preparing to send 1,000 agents to protect American citizens. Mr Hammond was pressed on the subject of Olympics security in the House of Commons by his predecessor, Dr Liam Fox.
Dr Fox, who resigned following allegations about his links to Adam Werritty, his self-styled adviser, said surface-to-air missiles had been used at Olympic Games since Atlanta in 1996.
He asked Mr Hammond to confirm that “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 replied: “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, appropriate ground-to-air defences.”