06 June 2012

500,000 Vetted For Olympic Accreditation

The Guardian newspaper has reported that the backgrounds of up to 500,000 people are being scrutinised in an unprecedented security screening designed to stop the Olympic Games being disrupted by criminals or terrorists.

It is understood to be the biggest vetting process since the second world war and so far the Home Office has refused about 100 applications for Games accreditation, mostly due to concerns about the extent of people's criminal records.

However, some people have been denied accreditation on the advice of MI5, which has to assess whether a person might pose a significant threat to national security.

The 500,000 figure includes anyone seeking employment at the Games, as well as athletes, coaches and officials from more than 200 competing nations.

Fears that terrorists may masquerade as casual workers looking for temporary jobs means that police and MI5 have been taking a careful look at all those who may end up working at the Olympic sites.

However, those involved in the security of the Games say they have found no evidence so far that al-Qaida sympathisers have tried to infiltrate the civilian workforce.

The vetting process began in earnest last October and officials are more than two-thirds of the way through the process, which is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

(H)