The only thing we are confident about with him in charge is muddle and dither

Peter Ainsworth

Mr Ainsworth said that on Sunday morning, "the prospect of London hosting the Olympic Games filled the Culture Secretary with alarm. By Sunday afternoon, he had remembered Labour's election pledge and was 'confident that Britain could host a world-class memorable Games in 2012!"

"The only thing we are confident about with him in charge is muddle and dither. I am genuinely embarrassed for the Secretary of State."

'Lurid headlines'

Mr Smith stood by his original comments but warned his critics against believing all the 'lurid' headlines they read in the papers.

He said he had stressed that if Britain were to host a high-quality bid for the Olympics in London, then this must be done seriously.

Chris Smith defends his concern at transport links

"We need to be prepared to put the investment in, not just to the athletics facilities for such a bid, but into the transport and accommodation facilities that such a bid will require. That is sheer common sense," he said.

The Culture Secretary added that only Labour was committed to the ten-year plan to improve transport services which would be needed.

Apology demanded

The Tories retorted with Mr Ainsworth demanding the Culture Secretary apologise in advance to his successor, who would have to clear up the mess he was leaving behind, including the uncertain future of the Wembley Stadium redevelopment.

This latest clash follows a flurry of reaction and clarification after the minister's original remarks on an Olympics bid on Sunday.

Then, the chief executive of the British Olympic Association, Simon Clegg, had said he was surprised by the Culture Secretary's comments.

Manifesto commitment

Ainsworth: leading Tory attack

"I am naturally disappointed that Chris Smith has apparently decided to pre-judge our presentation to him next month, particularly since the government made a manifesto commitment to support any viable future Olympic bid," he said.

"He is, however, quite correct to identify the inadequate and crumbling transportation infrastructure in our capital city as an area of concern.

The BOA has presented a draft document prepared over the last three years on the key issues of staging an Olympic Games in London.

A formal presentation is to be made to Mr Smith and Sports Minister Kate Hoey in February, followed by presentations to London Mayor Ken Livingstone and the Greater London Authority.

Britain won 28 medals at the last Olympics in Sydney of which 11 were gold - the best haul of gold medals since the Antwerp Games in 1920.