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London 2012: Boris Johnson says capital is 'prepared' London 2012: Boris Johnson says capital is 'prepared'
(about 1 hour later)
London is as well-prepared as any city in Olympic history to host the Games, Mayor Boris Johnson has said.London is as well-prepared as any city in Olympic history to host the Games, Mayor Boris Johnson has said.
Playing down concerns about the city's transport network, he also insisted the Games would make money.Playing down concerns about the city's transport network, he also insisted the Games would make money.
"We are going to be selling London," he told the BBC, adding that the Games had already brought "fantastic investment"."We are going to be selling London," he told the BBC, adding that the Games had already brought "fantastic investment".
Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called a planned strike by UK border staff on the eve of the Games "an absolute disgrace".Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called a planned strike by UK border staff on the eve of the Games "an absolute disgrace".
It comes after International Olympics Committee president Jacques Rogge told reporters he was satisfied with security arrangements for London 2012.It comes after International Olympics Committee president Jacques Rogge told reporters he was satisfied with security arrangements for London 2012.
Mr Johnson told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "If you look at what Jacques Rogge had to say last night, he's been in London for a few days, he thinks that our city is as well-prepared as any city in the history of the Games."Mr Johnson told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "If you look at what Jacques Rogge had to say last night, he's been in London for a few days, he thinks that our city is as well-prepared as any city in the history of the Games."
The mayor said: "So far the traffic system and the transport networks generally are holding up well, touch wood."The mayor said: "So far the traffic system and the transport networks generally are holding up well, touch wood."
He added: "I think possibly what we are going through at the moment as a nation, as a city, is that necessary pre-curtain up moment of psychological self-depression before the excitement begins on Friday." Transport for London has warned that roads around London will "look and feel different" from Monday, with workers altering junctions and line-markings before the Olympic Route Network begins on Wednesday.
'Selling London''Selling London'
Mr Johnson said the heads of most of the world's great businesses were coming to London over the next few weeks "and we are going to be showing what London has to offer, making it clear there are fantastic opportunities for investment.... we are going to be selling London".Mr Johnson said the heads of most of the world's great businesses were coming to London over the next few weeks "and we are going to be showing what London has to offer, making it clear there are fantastic opportunities for investment.... we are going to be selling London".
He said: "The Olympic Games have already been responsible for fantastic investment in this city.He said: "The Olympic Games have already been responsible for fantastic investment in this city.
"Pension funds from across the world are investing in the Olympic sites right now... to say nothing of all the transport investment, which is transforming London."Pension funds from across the world are investing in the Olympic sites right now... to say nothing of all the transport investment, which is transforming London.
"I defy the critics of the Olympics to say that this is not producing economic benefits for the city.""I defy the critics of the Olympics to say that this is not producing economic benefits for the city."
He said 512,000 people were understood to have turned out to see the torch relay on Saturday, and that most people in London were looking forward to the opening ceremony.He said 512,000 people were understood to have turned out to see the torch relay on Saturday, and that most people in London were looking forward to the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Mr Hunt criticised members of the PCS union who have voted to go on strike on Thursday, the eve of the opening ceremony.Meanwhile, Mr Hunt criticised members of the PCS union who have voted to go on strike on Thursday, the eve of the opening ceremony.
The action will involve staff across the Home Office, including the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau.The action will involve staff across the Home Office, including the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau.
Mr Hunt told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "They are totally out of tune with the mood of the country."Mr Hunt told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "They are totally out of tune with the mood of the country."
He said: "I find it extraordinary. I mean we've got 600-odd staff who man the immigration terminals at Heathrow, and you've got 60,000 to 70,000 volunteers who are giving their time over the next six weeks, completely free of charge, and you know - they may or may not have a legitimate industrial grievance, but this is surely not the time to pursue it."He said: "I find it extraordinary. I mean we've got 600-odd staff who man the immigration terminals at Heathrow, and you've got 60,000 to 70,000 volunteers who are giving their time over the next six weeks, completely free of charge, and you know - they may or may not have a legitimate industrial grievance, but this is surely not the time to pursue it."
Mr Hunt added: "It's an absolute disgrace. It's totally out of sync with the way everybody else is behaving.Mr Hunt added: "It's an absolute disgrace. It's totally out of sync with the way everybody else is behaving.
"If, you know, Labour and the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats can come together to unite behind the Olympics I think this is just a moment when you've just got to read the mood of the country a bit better.""If, you know, Labour and the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats can come together to unite behind the Olympics I think this is just a moment when you've just got to read the mood of the country a bit better."
He denied the strike would impact on preparations for the Games, adding: "We have a contingency plan in place and I am absolutely confident that we will get everyone into the country."He denied the strike would impact on preparations for the Games, adding: "We have a contingency plan in place and I am absolutely confident that we will get everyone into the country."
Asked by presenter Garry Richardson about the possibility of sacking the strikers, he replied: "I can tell you amongst ministers there have been people asking whether we should be doing that but I don't want to escalate things by talking about that right now because I know amongst those 600 people there are lots of people who want to do the right thing and turn up for work."Asked by presenter Garry Richardson about the possibility of sacking the strikers, he replied: "I can tell you amongst ministers there have been people asking whether we should be doing that but I don't want to escalate things by talking about that right now because I know amongst those 600 people there are lots of people who want to do the right thing and turn up for work."
'Last resort''Last resort'
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka told Sky News the strike was a "last resort" and he hoped it could be avoided.PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka told Sky News the strike was a "last resort" and he hoped it could be avoided.
He said: "We've still got a few days to avoid the dispute, I've written to Theresa May, we've written to the management of the Home Office."He said: "We've still got a few days to avoid the dispute, I've written to Theresa May, we've written to the management of the Home Office."
Mr Serwotka said that 8,500 jobs were being cut, and 22% of staff at the border were to lose their jobs "even though we routinely have queues and passenger anger is rising all the time".Mr Serwotka said that 8,500 jobs were being cut, and 22% of staff at the border were to lose their jobs "even though we routinely have queues and passenger anger is rising all the time".
He added: "We've had compulsory redundancy notices issued to people in passport offices, when you cannot get a passport at the moment because the service cannot cope.He added: "We've had compulsory redundancy notices issued to people in passport offices, when you cannot get a passport at the moment because the service cannot cope.
"So these are not demands about personal gain, they are about defending important services, the security of the country and ensuring that people still have the chance to work all the year round.""So these are not demands about personal gain, they are about defending important services, the security of the country and ensuring that people still have the chance to work all the year round."
A Home Office spokesman said: "We want the PCS leadership to call off this irresponsible strike. We ask members not to walk out at a time when the eyes of the world are on the UK and thousands of overseas visitors are arriving at the border.A Home Office spokesman said: "We want the PCS leadership to call off this irresponsible strike. We ask members not to walk out at a time when the eyes of the world are on the UK and thousands of overseas visitors are arriving at the border.
"Staff from across government including from the Home Office, MoD police and seconded police officers have been trained to work at the border."Staff from across government including from the Home Office, MoD police and seconded police officers have been trained to work at the border.
"Those who have not already volunteered specifically for the Olympics are being asked to offer their support on 26 July.""Those who have not already volunteered specifically for the Olympics are being asked to offer their support on 26 July."
In other developments:In other developments:
Are you going to the Olympic Games? Are you attending the opening ceremony? Or are you hoping to avoid the 2012 Games? You can send us your comments using the form below.Are you going to the Olympic Games? Are you attending the opening ceremony? Or are you hoping to avoid the 2012 Games? You can send us your comments using the form below.