Tessa Jowell's Olympic shooting gaffe

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By Shooting times - staff writer

Thursday, 20 March 2008

Tessa Jowell MP, minister for the Olympics anger's shooting groups

Tessa Jowell MP, minister for the Olympics, last week stated in the House of Commons that, with regard to the London 2012 Games, “there is not a need for a legacy for shooting in the same way as other sports, as there is a world-class facility at Bisley”. In response to questioning from the Conservative MP Henry Bellingham, even more astonishing was Mrs Jowell’s assertion that the decision to hold the London 2012 shooting events at a temporary site in Woolwich, at a cost of £25million, had the backing of UK shooters. She declared: “My understanding is that it is broadly supported by those in the shooting federation who had been arguing for an alternative.”

That shooters are backing the Woolwich plan was news to Phil Boakes, chairman of British Shooting, the governing body for British target shooting. Prior to Mrs Jowell’s comments he sent a letter to all MPs calling for a permanent alternative to Woolwich and highlighting the waste of millions of pounds. He told ST: “I continue to be astounded by those who are in charge of delivering the 2012 Games. It shows that Tessa Jowell has no knowledge of our sport or its needs. If she did, totally incorrect comments such as this would not be made. She is completely wrong about support by those within the federation this is a throwaway remark to try to give her statement credibility.”

The rest of this article appears in 20th March issue of Shooting Times.

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Comments

Chris Valentine

Wed, 26th Mar 2008 10:18:48

The government of this country cannot even allow the media to show anything good about shooting sport, let alone advertising. The BBC will not even show our competitors winning medals or their award ceremonies. One must remember that Tony Blair was helped in his election by that Harradine Ann Pierson reading out the names of those poor children murdered in Dunblain! You could say that this government was elected on the graves of children. Also remember that the past President of the National Pistol Association was none other than Seb (now Lord) Coe, a leading light in the Olympic planners who resigned with indecent quickness saying that it was not politically expedient to remain in this post. Would you really expect them to favour and spending of lottery/taxpayers money on creating a lasting facility for shooting? I think not.

Ian Watson

Thu, 20th Mar 2008 18:03:40

Hi brilliant, read this week ! ref :Olympic shooting. Tessa Jowell's gaffe. I have tried in vain to lodge my vote in the e-petition but the web address will not respond,is there a misprint ?

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