G4S’ security arrangements for the Olympic games are turning into the story that keeps on giving, which is a good thing for journalists only, given the opening ceremony is just weeks away. The headlines this morning aren’t just about the ‘Olympic chaos’ that Theresa May tried to address when she made a statement to the Commons yesterday, but contain more revelations: staff failing to notice dummy explosives during test exercises, 18 and 19-year-old ‘yobs‘ being recruited to fill the spaces, and the firm not being penalised for failing to recruit enough staff. That last revelation is awkward for May, as she implied yesterday that there was a chance G4S could face penalties. This is what she told MPs:
&”This is a contract that LOCOG signed with G4S, it is LOCOG who will have to look at penalties with G4S.”
But the Independent reveals that G4S had only signed a pro-rata contract, which means that although it is only being paid for the numbers of staff who actually work during the Games, there is no punishment for the shortfall.
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