England calms Delhi concerns

Commonwealth Games England has denied it will pull out of the 2010 event in India over security concerns.

The denial follows a lead story in today's Daily Telegraph which quoted a senior Whitehall source as saying there was 'virtually no chance' the country would compete in Delhi next October.

England general manager Ann Hogbin has responded to the newspaper claim by telling the BBC: 'That is definitely not the case. Our current and strong intention is to field a team in Delhi next year'.

If England did withdraw, all the home countries, including the Isle of Man, would be highly likely to follow suit.

During a visit to the Island two months ago, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Michael Hooper told Manx Radio India was doing everything possible to ensure a safe event.

He said it was far too early to assess any level of threat: