PM demands data review
The missing data is held on two CDs
Also In The News
|
Published by Hodder & Stoughton, out now, 352 pages, £18. |  |
Wednesday, 21, Nov 2007 07:25
All government departments face checks to ensure the security of data protection measures, Gordon Brown has announced.
The prime minister was reacting to yesterday's news from chancellor Alistair Darling that 25 million people's confidential details had been lost by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
On the receiving end of sharp criticism from opposition figures in the Commons this lunchtime, Mr Brown followed Mr Darling's lead in apologising unreservedly over the mistake.
He said he regretted the "inconvenience and worry" caused to the seven million families affected and announced a series of measures to ensure further breaches would not take place.
Accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers will carry out an independent review of how the breach of good practice occurred, while Cabinet secretary Gus O'Donnell will examine data security measures across government.
In an additional measure, information commissioner Richard Thomas is to "spot-check" departments to assess their compliance.
"When mistakes happen in enforcing procedures we have a duty to do everything we can to protect the public. We will do everything in our power to make sure data is safe," Mr Brown said.
He also launched an attack on the Conservatives during today's prime minister's questions, but Tory leader David Cameron dismissed the move.
"On a day when the government has lost the details of 25 million people to try and blame the opposition is frankly pathetic," he said, adding that Mr Brown should be a "big man" and accept responsibility.
Mr Cameron said the case would seriously undermine attempts to further the bitterly opposed identity cards scheme.
"People will find it truly bizarre, they will find it weird, that the prime minister does not want to stop and think about the dangers of a national ID database," he said.