Tory group will probe 2012 costs

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The Tories have set up their own 2012 Olympics committee, to advise them on the way the project is being handled.

Former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens, who will examine security plans, is among the experts recruited.

The Tories say Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has lost control of costs, after estimates rose £900m.

But she has said planning for London's bid is years ahead of previous Olympic cities, and has accused the Tories of "talking down" the Games.

The Conservatives' "Olympics Oversight Committee" will be chaired by Sir John Ritblat, the former chairman of property investment company British Land.

'Unparalleled experience'

Ronald Barrot, head of property developers Aldar, will join him and Lord Stevens on the committee - other members are yet to be announced.

The Tories say Lord Stevens will bring "unparalleled experience" in scrutinising the security planning for 2012 and look at the budget.

We have got to get this right Hugh RobertsonShadow sports minister

Shadow sports minister Hugh Robertson said the committee would "get to grips with the problems the Games currently face".

He added: "The Olympics are great for London, great for Britain and a great opportunity for all of us."

"But we have got to get this right. An incoming Conservative government will make delivering a successful Olympic Games central to our agenda. We can't afford to waste time."

Responding to criticism two weeks ago that the government would have to "raid" lottery funds, or London's council tax coffers, to pay for the Olympics, Ms Jowell said she was proud of the progress that had been made.

She told the Commons: "What the Conservatives do is to support the Olympics publicly, but then in a narrow and populist way, seek to undermine every reasonable way that this government is trying to make sure that there's a proper and sustainable budget."

She said preparing for the Games was the biggest public construction project in Europe, yet was "years ahead" of where Sydney and Athens were at the same point.

"This is how we are going to proceed, by ensuring that the money is there that the costs are controlled and that we in time host the best games ever," she said.