1:21pm UK, Tuesday November 11, 2003

Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced moves to introduce compulsory identity cards.

The move follows reports of bitter clashes within the Cabinet and fierce oppostion from civil rights campaigners.

Cards may hold biometric data

Mr Blunkett told the Commons the scheme would help tackle terrorism, identity fraud and illegal immigration.

The cards could contain "biometric" data, such as details of someone's fingerprints or an image of their eye.

"Compromise"

"No one has anything to fear from being correctly identified, but everything to fear from their identity being stolen or misused," he told MPs.

He said he would "proceed incrementally" by setting up a database and introducing new technology in passports and driving licences, but all UK citizens would require some form of ID card within 10 years.

New Shadow Home Secretary David Davis called Mr Blunkett's statement a "compromise, a 10-year deferral" aimed at appeasing his bickering Cabinet colleagues.

Division

Blunkett has long been in favour of compulsory ID cards and is backed by Tony Blair, but other ministers are deeply divided on their merits.

Those against the scheme include Chancellor Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

But the Home Office said in a consultation excercise 61% of people backed the scheme and 38% opposed it.

The cost of introducing them has been put at £3bn with people having to fork out £40 each for their own card.