Fast track for ID cards: Ministers hope Tory disarray will let contested bill through

Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, said the government would have to fight to pass legislation. But he told BBC1's Breakfast with Frost programme: "I think we can now build a consent at the beginning and that will be very healthy for everybody concerned. So yes, it will be differe...

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Published inThe Guardian (London)
Main Author Alan Travis, Tania Branigan and Rebecca Smithers
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London (UK) Guardian News & Media Limited 16.05.2005
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Summary:Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, said the government would have to fight to pass legislation. But he told BBC1's Breakfast with Frost programme: "I think we can now build a consent at the beginning and that will be very healthy for everybody concerned. So yes, it will be different. But I think it will be positive." He insisted there was overwhelming public support for ID cards, but conceded ministers might reconsider the detail of proposals. The home secretary, Charles Clarke, might concede to strengthen the ID cards commissioner's powers and to the introduction of extra safeguards over access to the national identity register. Janet Paraskeva, chief executive of the Law Society, which opposes the proposals, said: "They will push this legislation through while the opposition parties are still in some disarray. We will see a rush on ID cards whether or not they soften the edges."
ISSN:0261-3077