Tories attack Olympics Minister move

The Conservative Party has slammed Gordon Brown for downgrading the importance of the London 2012 Olympic Games after the Prime Minister moved responsibility for the games away from the Secretary of State to a cabinet minister.

Hugo Swire (pictured), the Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, describes the appointment of Tessa Jowell, the former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, as a “shambles of Yes Minister proportions”.

Jowell is the first dedicated Olympics Minister but she will only attend cabinet when needed. The executive unit and policy staff for the Olympics will remain in the DCMS but will not be answerable to the new Secretary of State James Purnell.

Swire adds the move has left the management of the Olympics “confused and uncertain”. He adds: “The reshuffle means Tessa Jowell will be responsible for the Olympics, based in the Cabinet Office, while the Olympic Executive, the majority of staff, and all budgetary matters remain under the control of the DCMS.”