More Troops At Olympics Than In War Invasions?

THOUSANDS more troops are on standby to police the Olympics, it was revealed yesterday.

And the potential call-up of 2400 more personnel could mean the UK military strength deployed in London this month is DOUBLE that in war-torn Afghanistan.

The extra military staffing emerged as bungling security firm boss Nick Buckles revealed he could have to quit over the fiasco.

And forces chiefs are furious at the chaos surrounding the security contract.

A senior officer said: “Plans have been made for further contribution because we have to anticipate problems could arise given the fiasco we have witnessed so far.”

The extra 2400 will bring the total troops committed to the Games to 19,400. There are just 9000 fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

An MoD spokesman said: “The contribution to the Olympic security stands at 17,000 – including the extra 3500 announced last week. As regards to any further contribution, plans for national security remain in place.

“But we will not discuss these for obvious security reasons.”

G4S, headed by £830,000-a-year Buckles, admitted last week they could not train the 10,000 guards their £284million contract for the Games demanded.

It will leave G4S with a loss of £50million in penalties and Buckles will this week be forced to explain the gaffe to MPs and shareholders.

He said last week he only found out about the mess eight or nine days previously.

There are now growing fears that staff could turn their back on G4S as the security firm struggle to cope with the workload.

It has been revealed that less than half the staff guarding the sailing venue in Dorset are turning up some days.

And around 180 failed to arrive to be accredited for Olympic football roles.

It has also emerged the Home Office were warned of the scandal last year yet did nothing to help as the disaster unfolded.