Beckham lobbies for world hunger summit

The former England footballer met the Prime Minister at No 10 as Mr Cameron said world leaders would meet on August 12 – the last day of the Olympics – to thrash out plans designed to help starving people around the globe.

Mr Cameron said: “Britain has a fantastic role to play in this.”

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Beckham, who was controversially snubbed for Team GB’s football side but is tipped for a starring role at tonight’s Olympics opening ceremony, sat on No 10’s sun-drenched terrace as he told Mr Cameron of the need to provide food for hungry youngsters.

Father-of-four Beckham said he was honoured to be a part of children’s charity Unicef and given the chance to “voice our opinions” at the heart of Government “while the eyes of the world are on our country”.

He added: “It is important not to forget the really important things that are happening in our world.

“I have seen that first hand in Sierra Leone, I’ve seen malnutrition.

“Being a father, I know how important those first few days of children’s lives are. It’s so important to get them the right nutrients and to help their growth.”

Mr Cameron hailed the sports star, who helped secure the Games for the UK in 2005 when he was part of the London 2012 delegation in Singapore when Olympics officials chose the capital, for the “pressure” he brought on Ministers to arrange next month’s summit.

The Prime Minister said: “It’s really important that while the eyes of the world are on Britain and we are going to put on this fantastic show for the Olympics, that we remember people in other parts of the world who, far from being excited about the Olympics, are actually worried about their next meal and whether they are getting enough to eat.” He added: “It’s absolutely right that Britain uses its chance as the Olympics host to hold a hunger summit.”