London torch security cost £750,000

Security for the London stage of the Olympic torch relay cost almost £750,000, a Metropolitan police briefing paper has revealed.

The document also showed that the participation of a Chinese security team had been agreed in advance, despite the mayor, Ken Livingstone, insisting he had no knowledge of their involvement.

The London leg of the torch relay was chaotic, with security guards battling human rights protesters as they attempted to extinguish the flame.

The Met said officers had taken "appropriate and proportionate action" when "people attempted to breach the safety, security and safe passage of the torchbearer and convoy".