Hickey quit the London Coordinating Group because he claims that it is not achieving anything. 

"I have become disillusioned over the last two years about the lack of progress on main key issues, most of which have been highlighted in the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force reports," Hickey wrote in a letter of resignation sent to Ireland's Sports Minister, Michael Ring.

"I now cannot honestly see anything that has been achieved today in relation to many aspects of the group."

The decision of Hickey to pull out of the Task Force is a major blow to the Irish Government.

He is one of the world's most influential members of the Olympic Movement and has been here in the Russian capital in his role as President of the European Olympic Committees helping the country celebrate the centenary of its National Olympic Committee.

At a special gala function held last night in the shadow of the Kremlin Hickey was on the top table alongside Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The final straw for Hickey appears to have been the collapse of a deal to set-up an Irish House at Camden Town's Roundhouse.

Hickey claims plans were well advanced to use it, and top Irish names like comedian Dara O Briain were prepared to support it,but the project collapsed when the proposed sponsor pulled out.

"This Irish House would be a showcase for Irish culture, trade, cuisine etc, as well as a focus for the Irish Diaspora...in regard to this , I wrote to my fellow [London Coordinating] committee member - Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland - concerning this and to date he has not had the courtesy to reply to me," said Hickey in his resignation letter.

In reply, Gibbons claimed he had replied to both Hickey and Ring last month.

"During that meeting, he made a proposal to Tourism Ireland for the Ireland House concept, seeking funding of between €50,000 (£43,000/$66,000) and €300,000 (£257,000/$397,000)," Gibbons wrote.

"As this would not make sense for Tourism Ireland as a 'stand-alone' project, Tourism Ireland was in dialogue with the Irish Embassy in London and other relevant Irish agencies up until last week."

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