RIBA boss slams ministers over failure to lift Olympic gag

The president of the RIBA has hit out at the government over its failure to enable construction firms which worked on the Olympic Games to shout about their success.

Angela Brady said it was a “huge disappointment” that the government had not found a way during 2012 to relax the restrictive No Marketing Rights Protocol, which applies to suppliers which worked on the London Olympics.

Brady’s comments follow shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna’s claim that progress on easing marketing restrictions has “stalled” despite discussions between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the British Olympic Association and the International Olympic Committee.

“This is a huge disappointment for the creative professionals who delivered the London 2012 Games on time, on budget and played a vital role in contributing to its stunning success,” said Brady.

“The government and British Olympic Association need to act on their promise - why are we still waiting? Our architects should be out there talking about their work.

“Every day they hold back on lifting the ban is another day lost for the profession who have missed out on the exposure and kudos they deserve. Now is the time to try and get some Rio projects based on recent London 2012 experience” 

Olympics minister Hugh Robertson first promised a swift solution to the problem in a letter to David Cameron eight months ago, while in July the prime minister said it was “vital” the marketing restrictions do not block firms from capitalising on their involvement in the Games.

A DCMS spokesperson said last week that the government was “completely committed to delivering a legacy from the London 2012 Games, which includes helping businesses that were involved in the project benefit from their outstanding work”.