Anger growing over lack of UK priority for Olympic tickets
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by political editor Paul Francis
Kent politicians have criticised the news that UK residents will
not get priority for tickets to the 2012 Olympics.
Organisers of the London games say that when tickets eventually
go on sale, anyone who applies from any European state will have
equal priority with applicants from the UK.
LOCOG - the London Organising Commiittee - says it is bound by
EU procurement rules that do not allow it to give residents in the
UK preferential treatment.
Conservative MP Hugh Robertson, who represents
Faversham and Mid Kent and is shadow sports minister, said
everything should be done to maximise the number of tickets for the
public.
"I am aware this danger exists because it appeared to be the
case with the European football championships," he said. "I
understand LOCOG are seeking guidance from the European Commission
about this."
There are fears that with a vast number of corporate sponsors,
the number of tickets available for members of the public could be
severely limited.
Mr Robertson said: "We have told the organisers that we
recognise that there is £600million of corporate sponsorship but
that it would be a disaster for the Games if a significant number
of tickets are not available at an affordable price."
Nigel Farage, UKIP MEP for the south east, said: "If this is the
case, then it is a rotten deal for the British taxpayer, which is
picking up the tab for the games but now appears will have to
compete for tickets."
A spokesman for LOCOG - the Olympics’ organising committee -
said the ticketing arrangements had to comply with EU rules. "We
are bound by those competition rules and we cannot target British
applicants for tickets - that is the law and we have to abide by
the law. We are pretty confident that with 9.2million tickets for
the Olympics and paralympics, British people will take up their
availability."
Wednesday, March 17 2010
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