MoD reveals Olympic blitz defence plans

It reads like satire, but neighbourhoods across the city could become launch sites after defence officials admitted on Monday that their plan to protect the Olympic stadium includes six rooftop artillery placements.

It is understood prospective sites include Tower Hamlets' Lexington Building, the Fred Wigg Tower in Waltham Forest, Blackheath Common, Oxleas Wood, William Girling Reservoir in Enfield and Barn Hill at Epping Forest's Netherhouse Farm.

The red-faced revelation comes two days after off-duty journalist Brian Whelan found a Ministry of Defence leaflet in his letterbox informing him of plans to mount one installation above his own estate.

The MoD had the developer's permission - but the leaflet was the first the residents had heard of it, he said.

Meanwhile a leaked email from Tower Hamlets Council showed the MoD had not even informed councillors.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond insisted on Monday that most Olympic security operations would be "played out in full view of the public."

But Stop the War Coalition co-ordinator Lindsey German told the Morning Star it would be farcical if it were not so serious.

Ms German said she could not seriously believe they planned to shoot down aircraft in densely populated areas.

"If the army is serious about using missiles like these in a densely populated area they're going to cause tremendous damage," she said.

The government needed to look at its own role in subjugating impoverished peoples if it wanted to prevent terrorist attacks, she said.

"That's the question, not playing toy soldiers."

rorym@peoples-press.com