By Luke Vargas
Name dropping is a frequent staple of political campaigns, but sometimes it’s prudent to pass on certain details.
Addressing reporters outside of the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street on Thursday, Mitt Romney made reference to a private meeting with the head of the British government’s Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6.
While it’s not totally unheard of for candidates seeking high office to be briefed by intelligence officials in other countries, Romney’s candid remarks prompted both members of the British government and his own campaign to seal their lips about how and with whom MI6 chief Sir John Sawers allocates his time, with neither party confirming or denying that any such meeting had occurred.
Romney’s statement follows close on the heels of a less serious misstep earlier in the day in which he lamented some of the current logistical issues plaguing the London Summer Olympics, which are scheduled to begin Friday evening. Romney’s remarks caused British Prime Minister David Cameron to retort that “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,” a reference to Salt Lake City, Utah, site of the 2002 Winter Games that Romney presided over.
Romney’s foreign trip continues until next Wednesday, and includes planned stops in Israel and Poland.
