ID Cards on Trial: Police chief questions biometrics

Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Ian Blair has questioned whether biometric technology is reliable enough to be used in ID cards, saying it has to be "foolproof".

Speaking at a London Assembly meeting this week, Blair reaffirmed his support for ID cards "in principle" but only if the technology behind them actually works.

"I am in favour of ID cards but we have to get right the technology that lies behind it. I am not an expert on iris recognition and I am seeing different experts coming forward with different points of view. We have to settle that question. The biometrics have to be as close to foolproof as possible," he said.

Blair said that while iris recognition "may" be the answer, facial recognition is likely to be too unreliable because it can be affected by changes to the diet and things like beards.

Although Blair maintained his support for the principle of ID cards he said the question of their effectiveness and whether they will actually work is "a matter for someone else".

"Are identity cards the answer? I don't know. They will only be the answer if the recognition of them is almost perfect. The key issue is they have to work," he said.

Following Blair's answers, London Assembly members called for the government to rethink its ID cards plan after voting in favour of a motion stating that the ID cards will not be cost effective in combating crime in London and do not represent good value for money for the capital.

Conservative member Bob Neill said: "Once you drill down there are very real practical problems. The idea sounds alright but when you drill down that support is very soft indeed. The best defences against terrorism are good intelligence and a visible police presence."

Plus: Read the latest on silicon.com's ID Cards on Trial campaign here.