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Leading QC condemns ID cards scheme

Kable

Published: 04 Sep 2006 09:35 BST

Human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy has blasted the proposed introduction of identity cards.

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on 28 August, Kennedy said she would "go to the wall" rather than accept their introduction in Britain.

She slated the Government's track record in running central computer systems, saying it couldn't "organise a raffle".

Kennedy said that once the cards are introduced it would change the Government's relationship with the citizen and "there is no way back". If the cards are introduced, the state would have instant access to a huge amount of personal information, including NHS files, on anyone in the country.

She also warned that although the card system was initially to be voluntary, due to a central plank of the next Labour manifesto, it would soon be made compulsory.

Source: Kable's Government Computing