March towards surveillance state must be halted
Commenting on the Royal Academy of Engineering report into privacy and surveillance, which warns that biometric details could be compromised by terrorists and criminals, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said: "This report confirms that the Government's fascination with big centralised databases carries long-term dangers. There is little merit in pouring huge amounts of taxpayers' money into creating these databases if they not only threaten our privacy but also, as this report predicts, remain vulnerable to being used by terrorists and organised criminals. The Government must now pause in the construction of the surveillance state, which is happening behind the backs of the British people, and ensure a proper public debate before they proceed further."