Labour admit ID Cards will not end terrorism, fraud or abuse of public services

12.06.42am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th Aug 2005

Following polls showing that support for ID cards is in freefall the Government Minister responsible,Tony McNulty, has admitted that ID Cards will not prove a panacea for fraud, terrorism or the abuse of public services.

In an attempt to shore up public support he announced a "ceiling" on the cost of each ID card would be announced in October. Mr McNulty also revealed a fundamental flaw exists in the current ID cards legislation and acknowledged that a likely battle over whether the cards become compulsory between the Commons and the Lords will end in deadlock.

The Government is certainly now on the backfoot and hopefully we can avoid this illiberal legislation making into law.