Data protection blow for Blunkett's ID card scheme

The UK government's controversial plan for a national identity card scheme has received a serious blow, with the country's data protection watchdog claiming that it is likely to break the law unless a huge amount of work is undertaken to improve existing databases.

Elizabeth France, the information commissioner, said poor record keeping by government departments meant the home secretary could only use new data if the scheme is to be "properly" implemented, this morning's FT reports.

This could restrict the use of such a card, or add hugely to the cost of developing the scheme.

France was addressing the public administration select committee when she said: "The standards of record keeping make it difficult to assign the right records... even though you've got the right person at the end of the chain."