Back to ineffective ID cards
I blogged about ID cards a couple of weeks ago, rejecting the argument that they would assist in the exclusion of terrorists. Here we go again.

News reports today are full of stories of 16 alleged terrorists having been found in Barcelona, my old city of residence, and Girona in north-east Spain. They had 'a number of documents' in their possession, as well as an interesting variety of noxious materials.

I'll wager that some of those documents included either real - and stolen - or fake identity documents; or legitimate ID cards issued to them by the Spanish authorities. Spain is one of those former dictatorships that requires ID documents to be carried on the person at all times; a lack of such documents gives the authorities the right to put you into custody on the spot.

British home secretary David Blunkett "last week underlined his support for the introduction of the electronic identity card", according to this week's Computer Weekly. I'd love to know exactly what role Spanish ID cards - or their absence - have had in the capture of this particular group of individuals. But Spanish press reports are clear that "investigations began following the detention of the Islamic terrorist Mohamed Bensakhria, in Alicante, in June 2001" (from La Vanguardia, Barcelona). In other words, identity documents proved of no assistance. The alleged terrorists had apparently "settled" in Spain, according to the same publication. Presumably with ID cards of some description.

You still have time to object to the proposed British ID card scheme, if you wish: the government deadline for responses is 31 January, next Friday. Stand has a rapid-response package you may wish to use. It only takes two minutes.