LABOUR MINISTERS SHOULD CUT THEIR PLANS FOR ID CARDS 3rd Dec. 2008.

LABOUR MINISTERS SHOULD CUT THEIR PLANS FOR ID CARDS 3rd Dec. 2008.

‘EXPENSIVE AND INTRUSIVE’ ID CARDS SHOULD BE DITCHED

SNP Westminster Home Affairs Spokesman, Pete Wishart MP, has expressed concern over reports that immigration and citizenship proposals in the Queen’s Speech contain clauses which will give state officials the power, previously reserved for times of war, to demand proof of identity at any time.

Currently, state officials can only ask for proof of identity if there is reasonable suspicion that an individual has committed a crime but according to analysis by Liberty, only those who have never been abroad for business or on holiday would be exempt under the new legislation.

Mr Wishart said:

“This looks like another slippery attempt by the UK Government to introduce ID cards by the back door.

“Labour’s abysmal record on data protection is reason enough to abandon ID cards but it is even more absurd pushing ahead with this costly project given the dire state of the UK Government’s finances.

“Instead of slashing the Scottish budget, Labour Ministers should cut their plans for ID cards which are both expensive and intrusive.”