Queen to host Olympic dinner

11:19am Friday 18th February 2005

OLYMPIC inspectors will spend today assessing political support for London's 2012 bid before attending a dinner hosted by the Queen and Prince Philip.

Friday marks the third day of a four day inspection of the capital by members of an International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegation.

They have already toured proposed sites for Olympic venues and been shown the finer points of London's transport system.

Today they will meet Prime Minister Tony Blair, Tory leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

Sir Ian Blair, the new commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, will outline plans to counter terrorist attacks, should London be awarded the games.

Sir Ian is also likely to point to the Met's success in preventing a major attack in the years since 9/11.

After the formalities the IOC cavalcade will travel down the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will enjoy the tour's first and only social engagement.

A Palace spokeswoman: "Everyone has worked very hard to make this a special occasion."