Crisis in way Government handle sensitive info

3.25.00pm GMT Thu 28th Feb 2008

Commenting on the news that a confidential Home Office disc was found on a laptop computer that was sold on ebay, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"With each new story like this it becomes increasingly apparent that there is a crisis in the way sensitive information is handled by Government departments.

"Last year alone 37 million items of personal data went missing and there is no sign that the rules have been tightened up since then.

"When such a cavalier attitude to sensitive details appears to have become institutionalised, how can ministers expect the public to trust them with the massive amount of personal information required for the national Identity Card database?"