**Commonwealth Games England have denied they will pull out of the 2010 event in India over security concerns.**A senior Whitehall source is reported to have told the Daily Telegraph there was “virtually no chance” an England team would be sent to Delhi.
However, CGE general manager Ann Hogbin said: “That is definitely not the case. Our current and strong intention is to field a team in Delhi next year.”
The Foreign Office says it has not told any British teams to miss the event.
Unlike the Olympic Games where Britain competes under the Team GB banner, there are separate teams for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at the Commonwealths.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement said: "We are aware that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had some concerns about preparations for the Games.
“We continue to work closely with the Indian authorities who are doing everything they can to ensure a safe and secure Games.”
The CGF is the organisation responsible for the direction and control of the Games.
Security for athletes, officials and spectators in Delhi has been a cause for concern following terrorist incidents in the region which have lead to several sporting events being moved from the sub-continent.
England’s badminton team withdrew from the World Championships in Hyderabad in August citing a “specific terrorist threat”, although the event passed without incident.
In March, the Sri Lanka cricket team was ambushed by 12 gunmen while they were being driven to a match in Lahore, Pakistan.
“We’ll continue to seek advice, but at the moment we are full steam ahead for Delhi”
CGE marketing director Duncan Lewis
Eight Pakistanis were killed, while six Sri Lanka players and English match official Chris Broad were injured in the attack.
That incident caused the Indian Premier League to be moved to South Africa.
And in November 2008 more than 170 people were killed in the Mumbai terror attacks.
However, Delhi organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said: “Security is certainly not an issue. A foolproof security was discussed for the Games during the security liaison conference in New Delhi in September.”
Experts from 26 of the 71 participating nations, including England, Australia and New Zealand, took part in the conference and were satisfied with the preparations.
Hogbin added: "Of course, we have a duty of care to the athletes and other team members which we take very seriously.
“Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team.”
And CGE marketing director Duncan Lewis told BBC Radio 5 live: "This is not something where you make a one-off snap decision a period of time out from the Games.
"We’ll continue to seek advice, but at the moment we are full steam ahead for Delhi.
“We won’t force athletes to go. It is down to individuals to make that decision. But we will make sure they have expert advice and facts.”
Australia’s Commonwealth Games chief Perry Crosswhite said he is happy with the current security levels and they will be sending a team of more than 400 athletes and officials.
“I’m not a security expert, but India have employed people that are and the reports are good,” he said.
“I have not had one athlete, one manager, one coach, contact me with the view that they shouldn’t be going.”
Several English athletes have already indicated they may not be part of the near 100-strong team for Delhi, which could be the largest sent to compete at a Commonwealth Games.
World gymnast champion Beth Tweddle is not going because the event, which runs from 3-14 October, finishes three days before the world championships start in the Netherlands.
Heptathletes Jessica Ennis, who won the world title in August, and Kelly Sotherton - the reigning Commonwealth champion - are likely absentees.
Phillips Idowu, the Commonwealth triple jump champion at Melbourne in 2006, and Paula Radcliffe - who won 5,000m gold at Manchester in 2002 - may not travel as they focus on the London 2012 Olympics.
More than 8,000 athletes from 71 nations are due to compete in India.
Glasgow is due to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.