SNP WELCOME END OF ID CARD SCHEME

SNP WELCOME END OF ID CARD SCHEME

Speaking during the second reading debate of the Identity Documents
Bill, SNP Home Affairs spokesperson Pete Wishart MP welcomed
confirmation that the £5bn ID card scheme has been scrapped. Mr
Wishart said he hoped that no future government would attempt to
reintroduce the controversial scheme.

Mr Wishart, who has campaigned against the introduction of ID cards
from the outset, said:

“The SNP campaigned from the outset against the introduction of ID
cards, and at long last the scheme has been binned.

“The scheme was unwanted and unaffordable in the current financial
climate and presented an unacceptable threat to citizens' privacy and
civil liberties, with little tangible evidence to suggest it would do
anything to safeguard against crime and terrorism.

“Labour wasted hundreds of millions developing these cards – money
which should have been used to invest in essential public services. ID
cards are gone, and I hope they will be gone for good.”