MI5 Boss Says Security Of Olympics Can't Be Guaranteed

26 June 2012, 10:21 | Updated: 26 June 2012, 10:23

The head of MI5 has said it's impossible to guarantee the security of the Olympic Games.

Jonathan Evans, director general of the Security Service, said there was no doubt that some terrorist groups had considered whether they could pull off an attack on Britain this summer.

He insisted the Games were not an easy target, but added that there was "no such thing as guaranteed security".

He is also warning that a new generation of British terrorists have moved to unstable countries in the Middle East to train as potential bombers, and says they are using the opportunity of the uprisings in countries like Libya and Egypt to create new bases.

All leave has been suspended at MI5 to ensure the service has its full complement of some 3,800 staff for the Olympics, double the number it had a decade ago after the September 11 terror attacks.