Blunkett hints at end to £5bn identity card plan

Published on Tuesday 28 April 2009 22:59

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.