Bilderberg Conference In Hertfordshire

6 June 2013, 11:28 | Updated: 6 June 2013, 11:35

A huge security operation is underway today ahead of the Bilderberg conference being held at an exclusive hotel in Hertfordshire.

The secret annual conference of politicians, bankers, academics and industrialist is being held starts today at The Grove on the outskirts of Watford.
 
The Grove, which is set in 300 acres or parkland, is close to the M25, the  River Gade and the Grand Union Canal.  In 2006, it was the venue of the World Golf Championships and in the past has been used by the England Football team.
 
Among those attending are: Chancellor George Osborne and cabinet minister Ken Clarke and shadow chancellor Ed Balls.
 
They will be spending three days with the heads of global corporations such as Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs and BAE Systems as well as other leading figures such as Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, and former US secretary of state, Henry Kissinger.
There is already a heavy police presence in the area because of the fears that the three-day meeting may be disrupted by anti-Globilisation protesters. Extra fencing was erected in the grounds and footpaths were being closed.
 
Dorothy Thornhill, the Mayor of Watford told Heart she has written to the Prime Minister voicing concern about cost of the security operation will have on Hertfordshire's police budget.
 
Herts Police said the Bilderberg Group had made a donation to the policing costs of the conference, but the amount was not specified.