ID cards wouldn't have stopped bombings, says Clarke

Home Secretary Charles Clarke believes ID cards will help combat terrorism, despite admitting they would not have stopped the London bombings on Thursday.

ID cards have been pushed by the government as a weapon to counter terrorism but when asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning if they would have prevented the London explosions that have now killed at least 50 people and injured hundreds more, Clarke said: "I doubt it would have made a difference."

But Clarke said the government has never argued ID cards would prevent all terrorist attacks and that their value would be in clamping down on the funding networks by preventing the use of multiple identities.

"The question on ID cards - but also on any other security measure actually - is on the balance of the ability to deal with particular threats and civil liberties. Does a particular measure help or hinder it? I actually think ID cards do help rather than hinder," he said.

Clarke also said the government will look at whether more security, such as scanning or checking equipment for people boarding trains and tubes, needs to be put into place to prevent this type of attack happening again.

The ID cards bill is currently in its committee stage with MPs debating more than 100 proposed amendments.