G4S head apologizes for Olympics security shambles

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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G4S head, Nick Buckles has admitted today that the Olympics security staffing situation was a ‘humiliating shambles’ for his company, after he was called in front of MPs at the Home Affairs Select Committee. 

Chief executive has told the Home Affairs Select Committee G4S had taken the contract to enhance its reputation. But now, the company may lose £50m from the £284m contract due to its inability to supply enough guards.

Mr. Buckles has told police and the military would be reimbursed for providing personnel to plug the gaps. The expenses of accommodation for troops would also be covered and the bonuses would be paid to military personnel if this was considered appropriate.

Mr. Buckles had made the comments after 3,500 extra troops had to be deployed to meet the firm’s shortfall. Police have also helped in filling the gaps left by G4S.

During the committee hearing, Labour’s David Winnick told the chief executive that the Olympics security shambles is a humiliating one.

Mr. Buckles responded: “I cannot disagree with you.” He told MPs he was “very sorry” for what had gone wrong.

And when asked about still being in the post, Mr. Buckles said: “It’s not about me; it’s about delivering the contract. I’m the right person to ensure that happens.”

The G4S boss told that he came to know about the recruitment problems by his team on 3 July.

He explained that it was difficult as there is a daily change in numbers but as they “dug into data day by day we realised the pipeline and people we thought we could deliver, we couldn’t”.

G4S boss has said he was “shocked” to find this out and came back immediately from a holiday in the U.S. And then on 11 July, he realised the contract not be delivered. Also, the Home Secretary Theresa May was informed about the problems on same day.

The company’s second largest shareholder Invesco has said, that it thought the market had over-reacted, and that Buckles should not be forced to stand down for failures made by local staff.

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