Faith Groups Oppose Compulsory ID Cards

August 7, 2005

Source: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,1544226,00.html

On August 7, 2005 The Guardian reported, "Mounting concerns over the government's plans to introduce compulsory ID cards were given fresh impetus yesterday after it emerged that Britain's major religions oppose the scheme. A previously unpublicised report, produced by the Faith Community Consultation (FCC) consortium, which comprises representatives from the country's Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, Hindu, Zoroastrian and Bahai religions, condemns the plan. The disclosure of the report follows last week's revelation by the government that it had been guilty of 'overselling' the case for a compulsory scheme and that it would not stop fraud or terrorism. It emerged that Tony McNulty, the Home Office minister responsible for ID cards, had given a speech at the Fabian Society in which he admitted that, 'in its enthusiasm', the government had mistakenly emphasised the benefits to the state, rather than to the individual."