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British Parliament Criticizes Olympic Security Preparations


A British parliamentary committee report released Thursday says confidence in the London Olympics has been weakened by a private contractor's failure to provide enough security guards.

The Chairwoman of the Committee of Public Accounts, Margaret Hodge, said in the report the "chaos which has emerged over the security contract was predictable".

The security firm, G4S, has apologized for not fully honoring its contract. G4S said it is having difficulty processing applicants for the security jobs.

That has prompted British government officials to order an additional 13,500 military personnel to take up security duty during the Games.

G4S says it will have to pay for the extra troops. The firm estimates it will lose between $54 million and $77 million on its Olympic security deal.

Meantime, Hodge also criticized the London Organizing Committee's (LOCG) oversight of G4S' preparation for the Olympic games.

In the report, the government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport, is accused of withholding information on security readiness and cost for the games.

Hodge expects to conduct formal review of the Olympic games in September.

The Games begin on July 27 and will run through August 12.
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