Blunkett hints at end to £5bn identity card plan
FORMER home secretary David Blunkett has admitted the government should scrap ID cards and instead force people to hold biometric passports.
Mr Blunkett told an audience at a security conference in London that he had made the suggestion to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
Asked later whether ID cards could be dropped, Mr Blunkett said: "I think it is possible to mandate biometric passports.
"Most people already have a passport but they might want something more convenient to carry around."
His remarks renewed speculation the government could try to ditch the 5 billion scheme as a cost-cutting exercise. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "When even the father of ID cards spurns them, the idea is truly an abandoned orphan."
However, a Downing Street spokesman insisted the identity card scheme would go ahead.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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