Olympic minister asked to examine complaints that 2012 firms prevented from taking ‘due credit’

The prime minister has asked Olympics minister Hugh Robertson to look into complaints that firms involved in building London’s Olympic park are being prevented from taking “due credit”.

Following a call-to-arms on the issue by New London Architecture boss Peter Murray in Building two weeks ago, firms including Olympic stadium engineer Buro Happold have reiterated his complaint that the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) is being unduly strict in protecting the marketing rights of sponsor firms such as Populous and Atkins.

The government has worked hard to showcase the business benefits of the Games

DCMS spokesperson

An aide to David Cameron confirmed that the prime minister has intervened following a direct approach to him made by telecoms firm STL, which is working on the opening and closing ceremonies and is based in the prime minister’s Witney constituency.

However, while Robertson wants to help boost the business prospects of 2012 firms, he is also understood to be keen to protect the rights of the official sponsors.

A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said: “The government has worked hard with Olympic organisers to showcase the business benefits provided by the Games including first supplier guide, Springboard to Success, which provides details and descriptions of over 600 companies that have won work in the UK on sporting projects, including London 2012.”

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