A group of MPs has accepted free tickets to one of the most in-demand events of the Olympic Games, sponsor BT has confirmed.
The telecoms giant invited members of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, which has scrutinised the running of the Games, to the men's 100m final.
Four MPs have accepted the tickets, worth £420 each, including committee chairman John Whittingdale.
The MPs will not receive hospitality and will attend a briefing at BT Tower first about the company's involvement in the Games.
Committee chair John Whittingdale said he saw no problem with accepting the tickets
Mr Whittingdale told the Daily Mail: "My committee has spent five years having regular sessions on the preparations for the Olympics. It's not terribly surprising that we might have wanted to go and have a look."
"They are a major sponsor of the Olympics and have put a huge amount of money into the Games. It would be utterly extraordinary if we didn't take a look at the Games. I don't see that this compromises the committee at all."
Select Committee member Louise Mensch said she was offered tickets but decided not to go because she was "not massively interested in the briefing to which the tickets were attached".
Committee member Louise Mensch, however, denied the opportunity but insisted she also saw nothing wrong with accepting the tickets
The Tory MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't see any problem, actually, with people who have been sitting on an Olympic delivery inquiry going to the Games and watching how well they are delivered.
"I believe that people who have been working on the Games do have a preferential route in to get some tickets to go and see them - that seems reasonably right.
"I didn't take them up myself but I can't say that I'm massively exercised by my colleagues taking it up, no."
The final, one of the most highly-anticipated races at the Games, should see premier athletes such as Jamaicans Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and America's Tyson Gay compete for gold.