MoD refusing to attend public meeting on Oylmpic surface-to-air missile sites

The people of Bow Quarter have received leaflets informing that high velocity surface-to-air missiles could be placed on a water tower on site.

Residents have planned a meeting, to be attended by local MP Rushanara Ali, to voice their concerns about the plans. However, the MoD has confirmed it will not attend, despite campaigners claiming it previously said otherwise.

Campaigners released a statement describing the no-show as "an act of contempt for the people of Tower Hamlets".

The statement read: "The Ministry of Defence, having initially said they would attend, have now pulled out of a public forum in east London to discuss plans to site missiles on a Bow estate during the Olympics."

Protesters have taken the snub as “opposition to any kind of meaningful consultation”.

The MoD denied ever saying it would attend the meeting.

A spokesman said: "We have conducted a number of community engagement events at which we have endeavoured to answer all questions put to us by residents.

"Should the government give the go-ahead for ground based air defence systems to be deployed, we will conduct further engagement with residents to update them.

"The MoD has never suggested that it would send a representative to a meeting at Bow Road Methodist Church so any suggestion that we have pulled out is puzzling and incorrect."