The government has deployed another 1,200 troops to protect the Olympic games.
The government states that there is no specific security threat, but it just doesn't want to take any chances.
Don't forget to visit www.olympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Showing posts with label troops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label troops. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
G4S Win Gold Medal For Spectacular Olympic Incompetence
In April I wrote the following about G4S (the company that is meant to provide security for the Olympics Park):
G4S have failed to deliver on their contract to provide sufficient trained security staff for the Olympics Park, as such the government is having to cover the shortfall with 3,500 troops (many of whom are returning home on leave having just finished a tour of duty in Afghanistan). In a remarkable display of incompetence, G4S only informed the Government that it was struggling to fulfill its brief only in the last fortnight.
Although G4S is rumoured (according to Channel 4 News last night) to be being fined around £50K per day for its incredible incompetence, this is but a drop in the ocean when compared to the £535M that they are making from the Olympics contract.
Needless to say, were the Olympics being run in transparent and open manner the taxpayers (who are paying for this corporate marketing fest) would have the right to look at the contract that G4S has signed for providing security for the Games. Unfortunately the Olympics are not being run in an open and transparent manner, and the contract is not available for public scrutiny.
Why are the taxpayers, who are funding the Games, not allowed to satisfy themselves that their money has been wisely spent and that contracts signed in their names have been negotiated in their best interests?
As an FCA and experienced fraud investigator I would never advise people to put money into a project/business without them at the very least seeing the contract and reviewing it thoroughly, taking advice from independent finance/legal professionals.
The government would argue that they acted in the interest of taxpayers when reviewing and negotiating the contract with G4S. However, as can be seen from this omnishambles of incompetence, it is clear that the government was not up to the job of looking after taxpayers' interests.
Needless to say the fact that troops are being brought in to cover G4S's failure means that the costs of the Olympics will rise. When will the government tell us by how much?
Don't forget to visit www.olympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
"The cost of providing security for the games has rocketed skywards, eg elements of the main contract with private security provider G4S have increased by up to seven times."With only a fortnight to go until the Olympics and G4S and the costs of providing security for the Olympics have yet again hit the headlines, in a spectacular manner.
G4S have failed to deliver on their contract to provide sufficient trained security staff for the Olympics Park, as such the government is having to cover the shortfall with 3,500 troops (many of whom are returning home on leave having just finished a tour of duty in Afghanistan). In a remarkable display of incompetence, G4S only informed the Government that it was struggling to fulfill its brief only in the last fortnight.
Although G4S is rumoured (according to Channel 4 News last night) to be being fined around £50K per day for its incredible incompetence, this is but a drop in the ocean when compared to the £535M that they are making from the Olympics contract.
Needless to say, were the Olympics being run in transparent and open manner the taxpayers (who are paying for this corporate marketing fest) would have the right to look at the contract that G4S has signed for providing security for the Games. Unfortunately the Olympics are not being run in an open and transparent manner, and the contract is not available for public scrutiny.
Why are the taxpayers, who are funding the Games, not allowed to satisfy themselves that their money has been wisely spent and that contracts signed in their names have been negotiated in their best interests?
As an FCA and experienced fraud investigator I would never advise people to put money into a project/business without them at the very least seeing the contract and reviewing it thoroughly, taking advice from independent finance/legal professionals.
The government would argue that they acted in the interest of taxpayers when reviewing and negotiating the contract with G4S. However, as can be seen from this omnishambles of incompetence, it is clear that the government was not up to the job of looking after taxpayers' interests.
Needless to say the fact that troops are being brought in to cover G4S's failure means that the costs of the Olympics will rise. When will the government tell us by how much?
Don't forget to visit www.olympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Heathrow Cover Up - A National Disgrace
As loyal readers and hapless Heathrow passengers know, Heathrow's ability to process passenger arrivals in a speedy and efficient manner has collapsed.
This of course could not come at a worse time for the government, as with the Olympics (and Diamond Jubilee) just around the corner the country will be at the centre of the world's media eye just when large numbers of tourist/visitors are expected to pass through Heathrow.
Faced with this collapse of efficient arrivals' processing at Heathrow it seems that, according to the Telegraph, the powers that be within the failing UK Border Agency (UKBA) are trying to cover up their failure.
The leaflet suggested that passengers should complain to the Home Office.
Unfortunately for BAA, Marc Owen the director of UKBA operations at Heathrow, told BAA the leaflet was “inappropriate”.
The Daily Telegraph also has in its possession emails from within UKBA detailing the extent of the chaos.
It is quite clear that the current procedures being used at Heathrow to process arrivals are failing, and most certainly will not cope with the forthcoming Olympics.
This is a national disgrace!
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.olympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
This of course could not come at a worse time for the government, as with the Olympics (and Diamond Jubilee) just around the corner the country will be at the centre of the world's media eye just when large numbers of tourist/visitors are expected to pass through Heathrow.
Faced with this collapse of efficient arrivals' processing at Heathrow it seems that, according to the Telegraph, the powers that be within the failing UK Border Agency (UKBA) are trying to cover up their failure.
On Saturday BAA, the owner of Heathrow, tried to issue a leaflet apologising to passengers for the “very long delays” and saying
people entering the country “deserved a warmer welcome”.
The leaflet suggested that passengers should complain to the Home Office.
Unfortunately for BAA, Marc Owen the director of UKBA operations at Heathrow, told BAA the leaflet was “inappropriate”.
He made threats to BAA:
“The leaflet is not all right with us. It is both inflammatory and likely to increase tensions in arrivals halls especially in the current atmosphere.For good measure he also told BAA to stop passengers taking pictures of the queues in the arrivals hall.
It is inappropriate in that it is not for you to display how to complain on our behalf.
Please refrain from handing out [the leaflets] or I will escalate [the matter] with ministers who are likely to take a very dim view. I know there are copies in the hall and your troops are ready with them.”
The Daily Telegraph also has in its possession emails from within UKBA detailing the extent of the chaos.
It is quite clear that the current procedures being used at Heathrow to process arrivals are failing, and most certainly will not cope with the forthcoming Olympics.
This is a national disgrace!
Olympic Medals won during the Beijing 2008 Olympics
Don't forget to visit www.olympicswarehouse.com
www.olympicsdiary.com brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Sunday, August 8, 2004
Greece Safest Nation On Earth
Greece, in the shape of Ioannis Lampropoulos the deputy defence minister, has declared itself to be the safest nation on earth yesterday; less than a week before the start of the Olympic Games 2004, which are being held in Athens.
NATO patrols the coast, a Zeppelin patrols the skies, Patriot defence systems are on alert along with the Greek airforce and 70000 troops patrol the streets; in an unprecedented security operation.
The security blanket, which costs in excess of $1.5BN, has been praised by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge. However, he cautioned that there is no such thing as 100% security.
The ambassadors of the member countries of the Arab League paid a visit to the Greek Public Order Minister Voulgarakis during the week; to show their support for the Olympics 2004. They noted that it would be the enemy of Arabs and Greeks who takes action against Greece during the Olympics.
NATO patrols the coast, a Zeppelin patrols the skies, Patriot defence systems are on alert along with the Greek airforce and 70000 troops patrol the streets; in an unprecedented security operation.
The security blanket, which costs in excess of $1.5BN, has been praised by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge. However, he cautioned that there is no such thing as 100% security.
The ambassadors of the member countries of the Arab League paid a visit to the Greek Public Order Minister Voulgarakis during the week; to show their support for the Olympics 2004. They noted that it would be the enemy of Arabs and Greeks who takes action against Greece during the Olympics.
Friday, July 2, 2004
Protect and Survive
The security clampdown in Athens, in preparation for the Olympics 2004, has begun.
Troops and police are now reported to be being deployed around Athens. The Minister of Public Order, George Voulgarakis, is reported to have said that the initial deployment will consist of around 11000 troops and police.
The opening deployment will protect transport links and hubs. I understand that, owing to the fact that construction work is behind schedule, the Olympic venues themselves will not be sealed until August.
Doesn't that rather negate the effectiveness of the security?
The full security deployment is estimated to be around 70000 troops, police and coast guards.
To view a slide show of the security preparations please visit the Security Slide Show.
Please note this, together with other photos and resources, can also be accessed via the menu to the right.
Troops and police are now reported to be being deployed around Athens. The Minister of Public Order, George Voulgarakis, is reported to have said that the initial deployment will consist of around 11000 troops and police.
The opening deployment will protect transport links and hubs. I understand that, owing to the fact that construction work is behind schedule, the Olympic venues themselves will not be sealed until August.
Doesn't that rather negate the effectiveness of the security?
The full security deployment is estimated to be around 70000 troops, police and coast guards.
To view a slide show of the security preparations please visit the Security Slide Show.
Please note this, together with other photos and resources, can also be accessed via the menu to the right.
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