"The eligibility of the athletes has already been investigated and authorized by the international federation and, if they hadn't been cleared, they wouldn't have participated in the games, " said Wang Wei, executive vice president of the Beijing Olympic Committee.

CNN: Age of Chinese gymnasts investigated

Ms Yeo, who is also the leader of the Labour group in Ashford, president of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), and the vice-chair of Labour's National Executive Committee, said it would give "communities a real chance to engage and say how they want policing delivered in their areas".

BBC: Harriet Yeo

Mr Salmond also announced that Terry Garcia, executive vice president of National Geographic Society, has agreed to chair the Scottish government Saltire Prize challenge committee.

BBC: Pelamis wave power device. Pic: Pelamis

Also scheduled to testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee were Giffords' husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, as well as the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS