OUTSPOKEN historian David Starkey has thrown his weight behind a campaign to stop Greenwich Park being used as an Olympic venue.

Dr Starkey has become a patron of campaign group NOGOE (No to Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events) against the iconic site’s use as a venue for cross country riding in 2012.

He said: “To host the equestrian events at a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a monstrous proposal. The public consultation has been an after-thought.

“Construction of a temporary stadium and the route of the cross country event will cause unnecessary damage to one of the UK’s most important cultural and historical sites.”

He is one of six patrons, including author Blake Morrison, to join the group.

Olympic organisers say they will try to cause minimum disruption to the public and the park will be left in the same way it was found.