Jeremy Hilton

Labour’s terror claims for ID cards are 'bunkum' says GCHQ expert

 

Today’s Daily Telegraph reports that Harvey Mattinson, a consultant at the information technology arm of GCHQ has said that the government’s claim that ID cards will protect the public from terror attacks is bunkum.  

 

Speaking at the IT security conference in Wales, he said the cards would only be useful for "everyday issues" when Government departments needed to transfer information about people and dismissed claims that they would help the fight against terrorism as "absolute bunkum".

 

Gloucester’s Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Jeremy Hilton confirmed his opposition to the introduction of ID cards. He said: “They are a waste of money and a burden on the taxpayer. Our civil liberties are at risk for no practical purpose other than to allow our own government to spy on us. We have to stop Labour’s surveillance state.”

 

Chris Huhne MP, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman said: "The money for this costly and useless ID card scheme should go on more police on our streets, a measure that would help to cut crime and fight terrorism."

 

Jeremy Hilton urged people in Gloucester to sign the Liberal Democrats NO to ID cards online petition at www.libdems.org.uk/noidcards

 

Note the article in the Daily Telegraph can be found at: http://tr.im/o9q

 

Thursday 30th October 2008

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