Mitt Romney's first trip abroad as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee got off to a rough start when he offended his British hosts by questioning London's preparation for the Olympics.

"The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials -- that obviously is not something which is encouraging," Romney said during an interview with NBC News that aired on Wednesday evening, stating that he found some of these potential issues "disconcerting."

British Prime Minister David Cameron hit back at Romney's remarks on Thursday, taking a shot at the former governor's leadership during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

"We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world," Cameron said. "Of course, it's easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere."

According to The Huffington Post UK, Romney sparked further amusement after meeting with Cameron on Thursday and attempting to backtrack his earlier comments:

Speaking on the steps of Downing Street on Thursday afternoon, Romney attempted to make up for his earlier comments by saying he "applauded the work of the organising committee" of the Games.

However he raised some eyebrows when his comments that he had enjoyed looking "out the backside of Downing Street" were lost in translation.

Below, a look at some of the reaction to Romney's remarks:

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  • Adam Jentleson

  • Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.)

    "We're not worried about overseas headlines. We're worried about voters back here at home in America," Jindal said on a conference call with reporters Thursday.

  • Channel 4 News in London

    Felicity Spector of Channel 4 News in London <a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/london-calling-mitt-romneys-golden-gaffe-in-olympics-visit" target="_hplink">writes</a> that Romney has undertaken "a charm offensive, that has proved rather more offensive, than charming."

  • Austan Goolsbee

  • UK Prime Minister David Cameron

    In response to Romney <a href="http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/romney-london-olympics-david-cameron.php" target="_hplink">questioning</a> whether London could handle the security issues ahead of the summer games, Cameron retorted that he had no doubt "Britain can deliver." "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world," Cameron said. "Of course it's easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere."

  • The Sun

    The <a href="http://www.scribblelive.com/Event/SinglePost.aspx?PostId=35975791" target="_hplink">tabloid</a> said Romney's visit was "not a great day at the office."

  • JONATHAN HAYNES TWEET, TOO

  • The Times of London

    The daily paper called Cameron's comment an "Olympic putdown" in an above-the-scroll <a href="http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/romney-london-olympics-gaffes.php" target="_hplink">headline</a> online.

  • JANICE TURNER TWEET TOO!

  • The Telegraph

    "If Mitt Romney doesn't like us, we shouldn't care," <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/mitt-romney/9428764/Commentary-if-Mitt-Romney-doesnt-like-us-we-shouldnt-care.html" target="_hplink">writes</a> the paper.

  • The Daily Mail

    The newspaper <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2179309/Mayor-Boris-Johnson-attacking-Mitt-Romney-Olympic-torch-arrives-London.html" target="_hplink">called</a> the start of Romney's trip "humiliating."

  • The London Evening Standard

    The newspaper <a href="linkgoeshere" target="_hplink">wrote</a> "David Cameron slaps down US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney over Games gaffe."

  • BBC

    "Mr Romney is credited with rescuing the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, now he's appeared to question London's readiness to host a successful olympics," host George Alagiah <a href="http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/romney-london-olympics-gaffes.php" target="_hplink">said</a>, adding "If (Romney's) here to make friends, he's got a funny way of showing it."

  • James Chapman