Allegations ministers knew of a shortfall in Olympic security in 2011 are "untrue", Theresa May has told MPs. Addressing the Commons, the home secretary said it was only discovered on Wednesday that contractor G4S did not have enough staff and that it had "repeatedly assured" the government it would "overshoot their targets". Labour earlier said ministers should have known what was going on. It comes after the news 3,500 extra troops will be needed for security. It has also emerged that police have had to deploy extra officers from nine UK forces to do Olympic security work. Mrs May was answering an urgent question from Yvette Cooper MP, the shadow home secretary, on "security arrangements for the Olympic Games in light of the inability of G4S to deliver its contract". Meanwhile, athletes and officials are arriving at the Olympic Village with Heathrow Airport experiencing its busiest day on record, and the first priority "Games Lane" in operation. Last week, the government said it was deploying 3,500 extra troops to cover the shortfall, after private security firm G4S failed to recruit enough guards for the Games. In her statement to MPs, Mrs May denied ministers had attended meetings on the matter before last week. "G4S only told the government that they would be unable to meet their contractual arrangements last Wednesday and we took immediate action," she said. G4S, whose shares have fallen by 9% since the news came out, said security was being tightened at venues before "the full complement of accredited staff have been assigned". It said: "Some venues are being supported by police in the short term, while the private security workforce is being mobilised. "This situation is being rectified over the coming days, which should lead to the withdrawal of police from those roles assigned to private security." 'National disgrace' On Monday, Greater Manchester Police Authority revealed the force had to deploy front-line officers to provide security at an Olympic team hotel in Salford - after only 17 of an expected 56 G4S staff turned up for work. "At no point was there a failure to provide security for the athletes," said Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney. "Extra policing resources have had to be called in but there has been a minimal impact on policing the local communities that we serve on a daily basis." The prime minister's official spokesman refused to be drawn on when David Cameron was aware of G4S's Olympic recruitment failings, but said he was involved in the decision to deploy extra soldiers. On the issue of the cost of the unscheduled call-up to the armed forces, the prime minister's spokesman said: "We are very keen to make sure absolutely no one loses out. "G4S have been clear they will meet the costs." Home Secretary Theresa May told the Commons last week that there were penalties written into the G4S contract but did not give details. The chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation, Ian Hanson, said the situation had become "an absolute debacle". "Those who presided on what is rapidly becoming a national disgrace should hang their heads in shame." He added: "They've failed - they need to acknowledge that they've failed, and it's the police officers and the soldiers... who are putting the wheel back on."
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