Mitt Romney questions whether Britain is ready for Olympic Games
Mitt Romney, the US Republican presidential nominee, has questioned Britain's preparedness to host the London 2012 Olympics and asked whether the country and its' People is genuinely willing to "celebrate" the Games.
Mitt Romney Photo: AP
Romney, who was chief executive of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, spoke on the first day of a visit to Britain.
He will meet the British political leadership in London on Thursday, including David Cameron, the Prime Minister, and Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Romney is then expected to attend the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.
But he told US television there were "disconcerting" signs about Britain's readiness. "It's hard to know just how well it will turn out," he said. "There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging."
G4S, a private security company, provided thousands fewer staff than were expected, forcing the armed forces to fill the gap. British immigration officers had threatened to go on strike during the Olympics, but this ultimatum was called off on Wednesday. The Government insists that all preparations have been made and the event will be a success.
Nonetheless, Romney also questioned the enthusiasm of the British public.
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"Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment?" he asked. "That's something which we only find out once the Games actually begin."
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His remarks were greeted with anger, with many supporters of the Games taking to Twitter to accuse Mr Romney of being graceless and rude.
Romney will receive a lukewarm reception in London. He met Tony Blair on Thursday morning at the former prime minister's London office and also held brief talks with Ed Miliband, the Labour leader.
In another gaffe, Romney referred to Mr Miliband as "Mr Leader".
“Like you
Mr Leader I look forward to our conversations this morning and I have had a number of conversations with leaders both present and past and recognise of course the unique relationship that exists between our nations,” he said.
The current Government has a close relationship with President Barack Obama and the US administration took the unusual step of making this point during Mr Romney's visit.
A statement from Joe Biden, the Vice President, said: "Our special relationship with the British is stronger than ever and we are proud to work hand-in-hand with Prime Minister Cameron to confront every major national security challenge we face today."
Mr Romney, for his part, has portrayed Europe as a prime example of everything the United States must avoid. "We're at a point here where we have two different roads we can go down," he said on Wednesday.
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"One leads to Europe. The other leads to the kind of dynamism and prosperity which has always characterised America."
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Later on Thursday, Mr Romney is planning to hold a
fundraiser at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge. One of the hosts of the fundraiser, former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond, withdrew from the event......
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How rude of him to criticize the Host Nation and the Brits.
He goes to the UK, organises fund raisers, probably staying in one of the best hotels and having the best seats in the Olympics Stadium,....all paid for by the poor old American people, many of whom are struggling financially and losing their homes.
He also still refuses to have his taxes audited or pay more than the 10% pa tax he pays every year.....
May the good Lord help America if Romney gets elected President.
He is not the only American politician attending the Games, at the cost of the American tax payer. Some are using the excuse
" We are here to promote America" 
Romney should recall the Royal Scots Motto
"Nemo me impune lacessit"
(When you are a guest in a country it's rude to criticise it.)
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US Romney-Brits Not Good Enough to Host Olympics
PUTIN TRUMP & Netanyahu Will Meet in HELL
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