Highly-trained British agents have been in Pakistan working with authorities there to prevent security breaches during the Olympic Games in London, Downing Street said today.
The news came as The Sun reported that a crime ring in Pakistan was offering to provide fake passports and visas, as well as help smuggle bogus individuals into Olympic venues posing as members of athletes' support teams.
An undercover reporter was provided with a fake Pakistani passport for £600 and he was offered a UK visa and an official letter saying he was part of the Olympic squad's entourage for a further £7,000, which the newspaper suggested could provide an avenue for terrorists seeking to target the Games.
Armed British police stand guard as athletes arrive at Terminal 1 at Heathrow Airport in London
The investigation centred on the Lahore-based Dream Land travel agency. The reporter was promised he could enter the country masquerading as part of the Pakistani Olympic support team - and even take part in the opening ceremony.
A security expert told the newspaper: "Terrorists would have the biggest platform to perform their atrocities. A member of al-Qaeda could fly to the UK on a genuine passport in another name and the authorities would be none the wiser."
Asked about the report at a daily media briefing in Westminster today, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: "My understanding is that we are confident that we have the checks in place and the arrangements in place to deal with these issues.
"The delegation lists for the Olympic Games are very tightly controlled and when it comes to Pakistan we have had highly-trained staff based in Pakistan dealing with the authorities there to deal with this."