'London IS ready': Romney completes humiliating u-turn in new UK charm offensive after Olympics gaffe sees British brand him 'Mitt the Twit'

Mitt Rom ney brands Olympics 'fabulous' after string of embarrassing gaffes



Had questioned whether Britain was fit to stage the summer games



Said he'll put bust of Winston Churchill - which was given to President Bush and returned by Obama - back into White House



Awkwardly refers to Labour leader Ed Miliband as 'Mr Leader'

Prime Minister David Cameron hit back with claim that 'Britain can deliver'

Mitt Romney was today frantically attempting to win over the British public after a disastrous day in which he was jeered and mocked following his Olympics gaffe.

In a series of interviews the Republican Presidential candidate sought to repair his damaged reputation in Britain with overflowing praise for the host country.



Romney spoke to both CNN and NBC and was so keen to make an impression he went further than most Brits - by calling the weather in the UK ‘great’.

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Back tracking: Mitt Romney has appeared in interviews to praise the UK and the Olympics after a string of gaffes during his visit to London on Thursday

He had been branded ‘Mitt the Twit’ and ‘Party Pooper’ by the British press for a string of gaffes in which he said The Games would be a failure.



The blunder was compounded because he made them whilst on a visit to London, his first foreign trip as a presidential candidate.



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Appearing with wife Ann, Romney first spoke to Piers Morgan on CNN and said: ‘To actually be here and to experience not just the athletes but also the volunteers who are working hard and excited, and then the whole community comes together, it’s fabulous.’

He even said that there had been ‘great weather’ since he had arrived.



Romney’s next stop was the Today show in which he told Matt Lauer: ‘After being here a couple of days it looks to me like London is ready.’



In a remarkably softer tone, he added: ‘It is hard having The Games in a major metropolitan area.



Sweet talking: He appeared with his wife Ann in an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN

‘What they’ve done I find so impressive is they took the venues and put them right in the city. You’re going to be in the back side of 10 Downing Street for beach volleyball.’



Asked by Matt Lauer if he was just being a politician and just backing off from his earlier comments, Romney said: ‘The people here are ready for the games and in a few moments all the things politicians said will get swept away because the athletes will finally take the stage.



‘The games are about the athletes.’



Romney, who has been credited with rescuing the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, had been attacked by David Cameron who said it was unfair to compare having The Games in London with hosting the event in a city which is ‘in the middle of nowhere’.



Asked if he thought that is what Cameron was talking about, Romney said: ‘I don’t see that’.



The most high-profile humiliation for Romney came when thousands of Brits jeered him after London's Mayor Boris Johnson mocked him at a concert to mark the end of the Olympic Torch relay.

Fiery remarks: Olympic torch bearer Tyler Rix stands with London Mayor Boris Johnson after lighting an Olympic cauldron on stage for the Olympic Torch Relay Finale Concert in Hyde Park

'Are we ready? Yes we are!': Boris Johnson issues his Olympics rallying cry as he speaks in front of 60,000 gathered in Hyde Park, central London, on the eve of the beginning of the 2012 Games However, behind the scenes officials were even more scathing about the Republican presidential hopeful, describing his visit as a 'car crash' and comparing him unfavourably to Sarah Palin. Another official who met with the former Governor of Massachusetts said he was 'apparently devoid of charm, warmth, humour or sincerity'. Even Conservative right-wingers, who traditionally back the Republicans, expressed dismay.

MP Mark Pritchard said: ‘If he becomes President of the United States, he will perhaps be less casual in his language.’ Another Whitehall official said of Mr Romney’s remarks: ‘What a car crash. We are speechless' - with one aide saying the candidate was 'worse than Sarah Palin', John McCain's 2008 running mate who has a poor reputation in the UK. Speaking in front of 60,000 assembled in Hyde Park, Mr Johnson used Mr Romney's earlier comments on the Games as a rallying cry.



Revellers: About 60,000 people packed into London's Hyde Park for the Olympic Torch Relay Finale Concert



Having a sit-down: Romney talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, just one day after the presidential hopeful expressed doubts about London's ability to host the Olympics

Special relationship revisited? Romney met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair today during his visit and tour of London

He shouted to the crowd: 'There's guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know if we are ready. Are we ready? Yes we are!'

In response, the raucous crowd erupted in thunderous applause.



It was the latest humiliating jab at Mitt Romney since the Republican began off his first foreign tour.

Earlier in the day, he was rebuked by UK Prime Minister David Cameron for questioning whether Britain will be able to stage the Olympic Games effectively.

Diplomatically, the two are off to an incredibly rocky start as Romney began his London trip to meet British leaders, hold fundraisers and attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.



If Romney can defeat Obama in November, he and Cameron would have brought strain to their 'special relationship' before it even begins.



Romney, who was in charge of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, caused an international stir during a Wednesday interview when he questioned London's ability to host the games, saying: 'It's hard to know just how well it will turn out.'

But on Thursday, after a morning of meetings with top British officials - including Prime Minister David Cameron - Romney made a complete about-face on his remarks, saying he believes the Olympics will be 'successful.'

That declaration came after Cameron challenged Romney and other critics during an appearance in Olympic Park, when he said: 'You're going to see beyond doubt that Britain can deliver.'

Cameron also took a jab at the presidential hopeful when he told The Daily Telegraph : 'We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere.'

But those remarks, in turn, appeared to have offended the city’s mayor Ralph Becker, who said: ‘He can stop by any time. We’d love to have him and are happy to send a map so he doesn’t run into any trouble locating the middle of nowhere.’

You got served: Romney waves from his car as he leaves 10 Downing Street where he met with Prime Minister Cameron Comparison: One official branded Romney as 'worse than Sarah Palin' following his string of gaffes

It seems that Romney will say anything to get back into Britain's good graces - including an attempt to put 'Winston Churchill' back in the White House.

The Weekly Standard reported that Romney, speaking during a fundraiser in London, said that if elected president, he would return a bust of Churchill that was given to President George W. Bush in 2001 - and later returned by President Obama - back to the Oval Office.

The uproar against Romney began on Wednesday, when he told NBC's Brian Williams that 'disconcerting' events surrounding Olympics preparations mean 'it's hard to know just how well it will turn out.'

He continued: 'There are a few things that were disconcerting, the stories about the - private security firm not having enough people the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging.



Personal tour: Mitt Romney checks out the Great Pavilion exhibit with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, right, at the British Foreign Ministry

Discussion on Downing: Romney walks out of 10 Downing Street to speak to reporters after his meeting with Prime Minister Cameron

'Because in the games, there are three parts that makes games successful. Number one, of course, are the athletes. That's what overwhelmingly the games are about. Number two are the volunteers.



'And they'll have great volunteers here. But number three are the people of the - of the country. Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment? And that's something which we only find out once the games actually begin.'

But Romney began to distance himself from the comments after speaking with Labour Party boss Ed Miliband.

Following their encounter at the Houses of Parliament, Romney said: 'As the sporting events begin, we all forget the organisers and focus on the athletes.'

'ROMNEY IS A WAZZOCK': BRITISH PRESS TURN ON REPUBLICAN

The British media were quick to launch into Mitt Romney in the wake of his less-than-complimentary views on London's Olympics. The Daily Telegraph's Lucy Jones branded him a 'wazzock' (which the Urban Dictionary defines as an idiot or daft person') after the U.S. presidential hopeful questioned Britain's desire to host the Games. She said: 'Who does Mitt Romney think he is? I feel a glimmer of protectiveness and pride... there's one thing Romney could learn while he's in Britain this week: some manners.' Nicholas Watt, from The Guardian, tweeted of his U-turn: 'Mitt Romney rowing back like mad on Olympics: Now says outside No 10 games to be a great success.' Meanwhile, Paul Harris said: 'Good old Mitt. His charm offensive in the UK failed to be charming, but he really pulled off the offensive bit #gop #romney.' James Kirkup, also from The Daily Telegraph, drew attention to Prime Minister David Cameron's response to Romney's comments. 'Mr Romney made his name salvaging the Salt Lake City Winter Games in 2002, an achievement he may think qualifies him to comment on preparations for London 2012,' he said. 'In the context of Mr Romney's glittering resumé, one of Mr Cameron's (faintly defensive) comments bears particular attention: "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. "

'Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere.' 'Some cynics thought that the "middle of nowhere" comment could just be a swipe at Salt Lake City, which is quite near the middle of, er, Utah. Terrible people, cynics.'

But it wasn't until after the sit-down with Cameron at 10 Downing Street, when Romney completed the 180-degree turn, declaring: 'I expect the games to be highly successful.'

The 2012 Olympics has been dogged with concerns ever since private security firm G4S said it would have to provide thousands fewer staff than they originally promised.

The British government has been forced to call in thousands of members of the armed forces - many of whom have just returned from Afghanistan - to plug the gaps.

There has also been problems with Border Agency staff threatening to go on strike during the Games, although such action was called off yesterday.

The following morning, however, he struck a more upbeat tone as he spoke at the Houses of Parliament with Miliband, whom he addressed awkwardly as 'Mr Leader.'

As Romney met with Miliband at Westminister, he was asked by the British media about Olympic security issues and the error over the North Korean team flag, in which the country's women's soccer team refused to take the field after a South Korean flag flashed on a screen next to a North Korean player.



Romney replied: 'It is impossible for absolutely no mistakes to occur. Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes.

Prime Minister David Cameron also called the incident an 'honest mistake.'



The former Massachusetts governor said: 'My experience with regards to the Olympics is it is impossible for absolutely no mistakes to occur.

'Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes.

'The games are, after all, about the athletes, the volunteers and the people of the community that come together to celebrate those athletes. They are not about the Organising Committee.

'And as soon as the sporting events begin, we all forget the organisers and focus on the athletes.'

In the NBC interview, Romney has been referring to the shortcomings of G4S, a private security company, which provided thousands fewer staff than were expected, leading the armed forces to step in to help, and a threatened strike by immigration officers that was called off at the eleventh hour.

Talking shop: GOP presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney meets with British Labour Leader Ed Miliband during Romney's first foreign visit of his campaign

Romney also toured the Great Pavilion exhibit with Foreign Secretary William Hague before heading to Downing Street for a private meeting with Prime Minister Cameron.

DID HE MISTAKE HIM FOR KIM JONG-IL? ROMNEY CALLS LABOUR CHIEF 'MR LEADER'

In a cringe-worthy moment on just his second day in London, Mitt Romney committed his first transatlantic political faux pas. The gaffe occurred as he met with British opposition leader Ed Miliband as the Houses of Parliament when Romney awkwardly said:

'Like you, Mr Leader, I look forward to our conversation this morning.'

'Mr Leader' is not to be confused with the 'Dear Leader' moniker for North Korea's Kim Jong-Il. While Romney likely had only the best of intentions, 'Mr Miliband' would have been just fine for the Labour Party leader.

Romney is not the first - and certainly won’t be the last - to commit a blunder in the face of British leaders. President Barack Obama was left red-faced last year when he proposed a toast to Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. But as Obama spoke, the orchestra began playing ‘God Save the Queen,’ and the president shunned Royal etiquette as he continued speaking over the music.

He also met with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and was later scheduled to sit down with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.



But it wasn't all about pleasantries.

Romney was the subject of a Twitter rant by veteran NBC News White House correspondent and political director Chuck Todd, who chided the candidate for taking questions from British reporters, but not their American counterparts.

Mr Todd tweeted: 'Can't believe Romney took questions from the British press corps but not from my colleagues traveling overseas with him. Bad form'.

In another post, Mr Todd said: 'Whether you love or hate us in the media; you should want your leaders to at least submit themselves to questions'.

Three hours later, after Romney took queries from U.S. journalists outside 10 Downing Street, Mr Todd tweeted: 'Glad to see Romney took a few questions just now from the traveling press corps.'

In the evening, the candidate held a fundraiser at the Mandarin Oriental hotel that raised over $2million.



It attracted employees of Barclays, which has been in the spotlight after becoming the first bank to admit its employees were involved in manipulating a key interest rate index.



Reports of Barclays' links to the Romney campaign drew the attention of some members of the House of Commons, who called on 'Barclays and its executives to cease fundraising for political candidates immediately and to concentrate entirely on repairing confidence and trust in the banking system instead.'



Romney took questions from the donors who had gathered in a ballroom at the hotel in the Knightsbridge neighbourhood of London.



Asked about how he would deal with banking regulation, Romney said the Republican Party has sometimes made a 'mistake' in focusing too much on deregulation - but that a sweeping banking overhaul passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis went too far.



'I believe Dodd-Frank has gone beyond what was appropriate,' Romney said of the banking bill.

Making friends: Romney shakes hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron during their meeting at 10 Downing Street

Photo op: Romney has a conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg during their meeting

At No. 10: Romney was also photographed outside of 10 Downing Street before a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron Romney will also be holding fundraisers using the spirit of the Olympic season to put a spotlight on his time managing the 2002 Salt Lake City games.

Breaking bread with British officials is typically one of the first priorities of any new president, and establishing those relationships beforehand can help smooth the transition. It's not unusual for American presidential candidates to meet with British leaders during the campaign; Obama did so when he took a trip abroad as the likely Democratic nominee in 2008. Romney's week-long overseas trip will also take him to Israel and Poland.

Video: Mitt Romney backtracks of his criticism of the Olympics







