Sir Richard's intervention follows a warning from several Australian companies that they will take legal action if they are not paid for services they provided during the Games by the end of the month.

Companies from France, Italy, Switzerland and Singapore have also complained that they are still owed millions of dollars in unpaid bills.

India's state broadcaster has blocked a £13 million ($21 million) payment to the SIS Live, the satellite firm which televised last year's Commonwealth Games.

British officials are angry that unsubstantiated allegations against the company had been leaked by Indian officials and fear they could damage its reputation.

Details of a letter from a committee investigating corruption and mismanagement allegations in the Commonwealth Games were leaked to an Indian newspaper.

The letter from the V.K Shunglu Committee to the Government's Information and Broadcasting Ministry claimed "startling facts" had emerged about wrongdoings involving the company and any outstanding payments to it should be blocked.

SIS Live claim that they have not been told what they are supposed to have done wrong.

The company had earlier been falsely accused of tax avoidance and was forced to challenge a claim from India's tax authorities last month in the courts.

It won the case and a substantial reduction in its tax liability.

"We are pursuing this matter with extreme urgency," said Sir Richard.

"SIS Live is a leading British broadcaster with over 70 years' experience of covering major international sporting events.

"SIS Live's coverage of the Delhi Commonwealth Games was widely praised as first-class.

"The quality of the production captured the very essence of the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the Games themselves.

"It provided great enjoyment for Indian and international audiences alike. SIS Live fulfilled its contractual obligations, against which all payments should have been made by now.

"It is not right that the company should be penalised in this way.

"We look forward to early resolution of this matter."

Another British firm, ES Projects, which built temporary stands and stadia for the Games claimed it was owed around £8 million ($13 million) but despite meetings with British and Indian officials no-one was prepared to authorise the transfer.



Ric Birch, the Australian executive producer of the Games Opening Ceremony, which was widely praised, has engaged a law firm to investigate taking legal action against the Delhi Organising Committee.

Birch claims he is owed $350,000 (£216,000).

Four Australian firms, including Birch's Spectak Productions and fireworks company Howard & Sons, are involved in the action.

Andrew Howard of Howard and Sons, which delivered the fireworks for the closing ceremony, claimed the money was long overdue.

"We are still owed $300,000 (£185,000) from our existing contract due back on October 15, 2010.

"We have pursued the Organising Committee on a daily and weekly basis since late October."

Howard said that not only were payments delayed, Indian organisers did not arrange import and export documentation, causing "huge logistical issues with equipment required for projects in Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East in November, December and January", which he claimed had cost the firm $900,000 (£557,000).

The Organising Committee claimed it paid 65 per cent of the contracted amount and the rest would be paid next week.

Peter Varghese, Australia's High Commissioner to India, said his office has contacted the Indian Government about unpaid debts to Australian companies.

"I wouldn't have a figure on how many Australian companies, altogether, are still awaiting money," said Varghese.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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