G4S chief Nick Buckles has been called in by the Home Affairs Select Committee to explain his company’s failure to provide enough security staff for the London 2012 Olympics, after he had promised to “overshoot” his target.

Last week, Buckles had told Home Secretary Theresa May that G4S would not be able to honour its contract. The Home Secretary had to call in military forces to make up for the lacunae by recruiting up to 3,500 soldiers and police to make up for G4S’ shortfall. Theresa May had to appear twice in the last week before MPs over the row.

May said that despite more than 20,000 security staff being accredited, G4S had problems with scheduling and “getting staff to the venue security tasks”. Some staff no longer wanted the work, she added.

The G4S chief will face serious questions from the MPs as he had repeatedly assured the parliament of his commitment to reach his targets. G4S now stands to lose £50 million on the £284 million contract, and Buckles admits that he could lose his job over it. He would be entitled to £20 million in pay and benefits if he loses his job over the fiasco.

Keith Vaz, who will chair The Select Committee, said, “With a fortnight to go until the Olympics, it is vital that the government has the security situation in hand. The shortfall in security guards provided by G4S and the drafting of armed forces personnel is a shocking development so close to the Games. It is vital that the public is safe and not left out of pocket by this debacle.”

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