Games consultant costs revealed

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Organisers of the 2014 Commonwealth Games have spent more than £1.2m on consultants and managers in two years, figures have shown.

The Liberal Democrats revealed figures which showed Glasgow City Council and the Scottish government have each spent about £600,000.

It emerged recently that the cost of the games had escalated by £80m to about £450m.

The event will be held in Glasgow in July 2014.

The figures were obtained after a Freedom of Information request.

Lib Dem sports spokesman Ross Finnie said: "The Commonwealth Games will be a spectacular occasion and we hope that they leave a lasting legacy for Scotland.

"But history tells us that the budgets for staging massive international sport events will soar unless every aspect of expenditure is rigorously controlled."

'Tough times'

The Scottish government, Glasgow City Council and the Games Organising Committee announced last month they had to plug an £80m funding gap caused by an increase in broadcasting and staffing costs.

Mr Finnie added: "That's an awful lot of taxpayers money in these tough times.

"So it's absolutely vital that the Scottish government and Glasgow City Council keep on top of every pound that is spent.

"Blowing over £1.2m on consultants and PR in the first two years isn't a good sign that ministers and councillors are focussing on the essentials."

Glasgow beat Nigerian capital Abuja in 2007 in the race to host the event, which will be held over 11 days starting in July 2014.

Thousands of athletes and officials will stay in an athletes' village in the east end of the city, which is to also to be home to a new national indoor sports arena and velodrome.