Brown to wrest control of 2012
04/05/2007 |
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There is renewed speculation in Westminster and London Olympic circles that the Department of Culture Media and Sport will lose responsibility for delivering the 2012 games as a consequence of Gordon Brown's impending Premiership.
Brown's succession is likely to see reshuffling of ministerial posts and restructuring of departments, and sources close to both the department and the Olympic project are discussing the prospect of London 2012 leaving DCMS. Tessa Jowell and Richard Caborn are likely to be replaced in Brown's first reshuffle and the Cabinet Office or the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are touted as potentially taking control of the project. The former would give Brown close control over the project while the deputy prime minister's office has a track-record in regeneration.
Similar speculation followed London winning the games only for the project to remain in DCMS, and with Brown's plans a mystery to all but his closest circle the uncertainty is unlikely to be lifted until he takes control.
Officials in Cockspur Street continue to plan for the games. Jonathan Stephens, the former Treasury civil servant installed as permanent secretary to oversee the Olympic project, is in the process of hiring a director-general and finance director for the Government Olympic Executive, both of whom will be drawn from outside the civil service. Appointments are expected next month.
(Source: Guardian.co.uk)
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