Menu
22/09/2003
Civil liberties group slams 'insane' ID card plan
The civil liberties group, Liberty, has come out strongly against the Home Secretary's proposals to introduce a nationwide ID card, describing the measure as an "insane and suicidal step".
Home Secretary David Blunkett told the Frost programme yesterday that he would favour compulsory ID cards in order, for example, to track the movements of illegal immigrants. During his interview with David Frost, the Home Secretary said that he "hadn't a clue" how many illegal immigrants there were in the country at the moment – adding that an ID card would change that.
The interview has been interpreted by many as a last-ditch attempt by the Home Secretary to get ID card legislation into the Queen's speech, having failed to win the backing of his colleagues in Cabinet.
Liberty's Campaigns Director Mark Littlewood said: "To introduce ID cards now would be an insane and suicidal step for this government to take. The Cabinet needs to rein in the Home Secretary.
"The polling evidence makes plain that millions of British citizens would refuse point blank to carry a card. Criminalising - and potentially even imprisoning - tens of thousands of people is not a smart of way of making friends and influencing people.
He went on to say that spending billions of pounds of taxpayers' money on a scheme "with no proven benefits" would be a "recipe for disaster".
"Experience from other countries with ID cards show they are costly, unwieldy, unhelpful and a real threat to our civil liberties. The government should take a step back, a long deep breath and put these proposals where they belong - in the dustbin of history," he said.
(gmcg)
Home Secretary David Blunkett told the Frost programme yesterday that he would favour compulsory ID cards in order, for example, to track the movements of illegal immigrants. During his interview with David Frost, the Home Secretary said that he "hadn't a clue" how many illegal immigrants there were in the country at the moment – adding that an ID card would change that.
The interview has been interpreted by many as a last-ditch attempt by the Home Secretary to get ID card legislation into the Queen's speech, having failed to win the backing of his colleagues in Cabinet.
Liberty's Campaigns Director Mark Littlewood said: "To introduce ID cards now would be an insane and suicidal step for this government to take. The Cabinet needs to rein in the Home Secretary.
"The polling evidence makes plain that millions of British citizens would refuse point blank to carry a card. Criminalising - and potentially even imprisoning - tens of thousands of people is not a smart of way of making friends and influencing people.
He went on to say that spending billions of pounds of taxpayers' money on a scheme "with no proven benefits" would be a "recipe for disaster".
"Experience from other countries with ID cards show they are costly, unwieldy, unhelpful and a real threat to our civil liberties. The government should take a step back, a long deep breath and put these proposals where they belong - in the dustbin of history," he said.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 August 2013
Customers To Be Reimbursed Following Mis-Sold CPP Card Protection
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reached an agreement with Card Protection Plan Limited (CPP) and 13 high street banks and credit card issuers, that will pave the way for redress to be paid to customers who were mis-sold CPP's Card Protection and Identity Protection policies.
Customers To Be Reimbursed Following Mis-Sold CPP Card Protection
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reached an agreement with Card Protection Plan Limited (CPP) and 13 high street banks and credit card issuers, that will pave the way for redress to be paid to customers who were mis-sold CPP's Card Protection and Identity Protection policies.
08 October 2003
M&S backtracks over &More credit card after OFT probe
Marks and Spencer Financial Services (MSFS) has changed the way it will offer to replace its store cards by the &More credit card after action by the Office of Fair Trading. MSFS had sent out letters to many card holders saying that its store card would automatically be replaced by the &More credit card unless card holders objected.
M&S backtracks over &More credit card after OFT probe
Marks and Spencer Financial Services (MSFS) has changed the way it will offer to replace its store cards by the &More credit card after action by the Office of Fair Trading. MSFS had sent out letters to many card holders saying that its store card would automatically be replaced by the &More credit card unless card holders objected.
29 January 2009
ID Card Benefits 'Will Be Delivered Soon', Says Home Secretary
Work is underway to identify a number of areas across the UK where British nationals can be among the first to apply for an identity card, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced when she visited Manchester today.
ID Card Benefits 'Will Be Delivered Soon', Says Home Secretary
Work is underway to identify a number of areas across the UK where British nationals can be among the first to apply for an identity card, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced when she visited Manchester today.
26 April 2004
Home Secretary unveils plans for national ID card
Home Secretary David Blunkett has unveiled draft legislation, outlining controversial plans for the introduction of a national ID card. Mr Blunkett has stated that he believes the proposals will be effective in the fight against terrorism and wants them to be compulsory by 2013.
Home Secretary unveils plans for national ID card
Home Secretary David Blunkett has unveiled draft legislation, outlining controversial plans for the introduction of a national ID card. Mr Blunkett has stated that he believes the proposals will be effective in the fight against terrorism and wants them to be compulsory by 2013.
30 July 2009
UK Identity Card Unveiled
The image of the ID card for British citizens was officially unveiled by the Home Secretary today in Manchester and London. The ID card, which can also be used as a travel document in Europe, was revealed by the Home Secretary at St Pancras International Station in London and to residents of Greater Manchester at an event in the city centre.
UK Identity Card Unveiled
The image of the ID card for British citizens was officially unveiled by the Home Secretary today in Manchester and London. The ID card, which can also be used as a travel document in Europe, was revealed by the Home Secretary at St Pancras International Station in London and to residents of Greater Manchester at an event in the city centre.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
