London -The Royal Air Force (RAF) will use "lethal force" if the Olympics are threatened, the Games air security commander said on Friday.Speaking at RAF Northolt in north-west London, Air Vice-Marshal Stuart Atha said a plane could be shot down as a last resort in a "worst-case scenario".
Asked who would give the order, he said: "The highest level of government makes that decision."
A series of airspace restrictions around London and south-east England are set to be enforced from midnight tobight.
Typhoon jets and Sea King helicopters are being deployed to RAF Northolt.
It comes after it emerged that 3,500 extra military personnel would be needed to bolster security at the Olympics. It brings the total number of military personnel - from three services and including reservists - contributing to Games security to 17,000.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the Games, due to start on 27 July, would be "safe and secure".
The temporary additional restrictions to airspace in and around the British capital come into force at midnight on Friday and will last for a month.
The prohibited zone will be about 30 miles wide and does not affect commercial aircraft, which fly in established air traffic corridors.
