Ministers to use Olympic 'Zil' lanes
Senior Government Ministers are to be allowed access to the designated Olympic ‘Zil’ lanes, The Evening Standard has reported.
The Ministers include the Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Chancellor George Osborne and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
A Government spokesman said the decision had been taken on the advice of the security services, but added that “ministers will be using public transport to get to the Games wherever possible”.
London cab drivers, who have been protesting at being banned from using the lanes, are angry at the development.
Jonathan Myers, press officer for the United Cabbies Group, said it was “outrageous”.
“If I was a government minister, I would not use them. I would come in solidarity with the people of London who are not allowed to use them.”
In a seperate development, official Olympic sponsors have come under increased pressure to follow the example of McDonald's and Coca-Cola by declining tax breaks.
An online petition, which has attracted over 160,000 signatures, urges sponsors such as Visa and Samsung to give up their exemption from paying full corporation and income tax on profits from the Games.