British Queen furious over CWG baton controversy

The British Queen is in "cold fury" over allegations of financial irregularities involving a British firm and the Commonwealth Games baton relay, a media report said Sunday.

Daily Express Sunday reported that the baton, which has a message from the Queen, has been tainted by claims it has been used by a British firm to cash in on the Royal brand. The baton is carried by runners around the world, before it arrives at the host city New Delhi.

The CWG organising committee is alleged to have paid AM Films, an Indian-owned firm in London, over 450,000 pounds for services during the Queen's Baton Relay inaugural without proper tendering and paper work.

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) has formed a three-member panel to probe the allegations that a letter from the Indian High Commission in London, which CGOC claimed recommended AM Films for the Queen's Baton Relay inaugural in October last year, was tampered with.

The media report said that the Queen is understood to be in a "cold fury" over the affair, which she sees as besmirching the symbolic baton.

A diplomatic source in India was quoted as saying: "The Queen’s goodwill in launching the baton in London has led to her being caught up in this matter although she is an innocent party."

The Commonwealth Games are going to be held in New Delhi from Oct 3 to 14.