GCHQ expert says ID cards won't combat terrorism

A GCHQ expert has described government claims ID cards will stop terrorist attacks as "bunkum".

Harvey Mattinson, a senior consultant at the Cheltenham intelligence base, dismissed claims by PM Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that a national ID card scheme would increase national security.

Both politicians have argued cards issued to every UK citizen, as well as transient workers, would help stop a repeat of terrorist attacks like 9/11 or the London Tube attacks.

But Mr Mattinson, who works for CESG department, which provides advice to Government departments on IT security, said: "Those claims are absolute bunkum."

He claimed their main use would be to help government departments and enforcement agencies share information about people.

Addressing the Society of Information Technology Management annual conference, he said: "ID cards are vital for transformation government, you cannot share information without identity authentication.

"We have got to get this right because it is stopping us doing our business. We need biometric as well as biographical data – we will have to build up the information on the chip."

The ID card scheme will start next month, when cards will be issued to foreign nationals. Late next year, the £4 billion programme will be extended to employees in sensitive roles or locations, such as airports. From 2010, the cards will be available voluntarily to the young.

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood also called the cards' usefulness into question.

He said: "I can't see how ID cards could have stopped any of the major terrorist attacks we have seen in recent years.

"The 9/11 terrorists had valid US passports and documents, while the Madrid and London bombers were all identified and possessed appropriate paperwork and ID."

GCHQ said Mr Mattison's comments were made at the sidelines of the conference and did not reflect GCHQ's view.

A spokesman said: "The Government believes ID cards can play an important part in countering terrorism, crime and other threats.

"GCHQ is supporting a range of Government programmes on identity management."