DNA BLUNDER CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT'S 'DATABASE STATE' - WILLOTT

12.00.00am GMT Wed 20th Feb 2008

Commenting on the reports that a disc containing the details of over 2,000 suspected foreign criminals was mislaid by the Home Office for over a year, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said:

"This is yet another example of the Government's shambolic handling of personal data that has ultimately put the public at risk.

"From the DNA database to fingerprinting children in schools to the ID card system, this Government is driving at break neck speed towards the collection and retention of ever greater quantities of personal information.

"But it is becoming increasingly clear that the Government is clueless about how to handle such enormous quantities of personal data securely and efficiently.

"We need a major public debate about the direction in which the Government is steering the country, before we wake up living in a 'database state' where all our data is being held centrally but not securely."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Jenny Willott has posted questions on her website see: www.jennywillott.com

The questions ask:

1. The government is creating an enormous database holding personal information, which will be accessed through identity cards. How confident are you that the Government will be able to keep this personal information safe?

2. Would you be prepared to carry an ID card with you at all times?