Bid chiefs reject claim Queen hurt campaign

London's Olympic bid leaders today dismissed as " nonsense" reports that the Queen had undermined their campaign by backing rivals Paris to win July's vote on the 2012 Games.

In a private conversation during a reception at Buckingham Palace, the Queen is reported to have told an East End teenager she was worried Londoners were not fully behind the bid.

Amran Hussain, a schoolboy from Beckton, was invited to a Christmas reception for more than 500 guests chosen for their outstanding contributions to civic life. Asked about the prospect of the Olympics coming to the East End, he claims she said: "Oh, I think Paris has the best chance of winning. I don't think the public in this country support it like the public in Paris do."

But London 2012 spokesman Mike Lee said: "We believe this is a bit of nonsense that is not going to have an impact on the bid. It is not damaging. It is not verifiable that she said that."

Buckingham Palace today refused to deny or confirm the content of the conversation. A spokesman said: "The Queen has thousands of conversations with people every year and we never confirm or deny any of them. The Queen has shown her support for the London 2012 team by hosting a reception in June last year."

Britain lost an almost certain vote today when Australian swimmer Susie O'Neill, believed to be a London supporter, resigned from the IOC to spend more time with her family.