WRITTEN EVIDENCE
SUBMITTED BY
JOHN DENHAM
MP [OS 09]
I am writing to bring to your attention the poor
accommodation provided to troops during the Olympics.
During late July it was brought to my attention that
members of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, also known as the Hampshire
Tigers, were sleeping in an underground car park while carrying
out their duties during the Olympic Games in London.
I am confident that the shambolic way the existing
security agreement with G4S was undertaken will be well-scrutinised
by your Committee. Nonetheless I firmly believe it is unacceptable
for our troops to be brought in at the last minute, only to be
given poor sleeping conditions in our own capital city during
the largest sporting event the UK has ever held.
At the time, the deployment of an additional 3,500
troops was announced it was said this was the implementation of
a contingency plan. If this is the case, then the obvious question
is why did the contingency plan not cover accommodation for the
troops?
Having attended the Olympic Games myself as a visitor,
I saw the excellent work of all the security teams. I know that
the Hampshire Tigers did a great job, particularly as their leave
had been cancelled.
I would like to request that you question the relevant
witnesses during your inquiry on this issue, so that our serviceman,
their families and the public can get the answers they deserve
on this appalling situation.
The Tigers have served bravely in Afghanistan and
never once have I heard any complaint about the exceptionally
difficult condition under which they have served. But when our
troops are asked to protect the public in the centre of one of
the greatest and richest cities in the world it does seem extraordinary
that they could have not have been given better accommodation.
September 2012
—— END ——
| 
