ID card database destroyed

Around 500 hard disk drives and 100 back-up tapes containing the details of 15,000 holders have been magnetically wiped and shredded in line with Cabinet Office rules, and will soon be incinerated.

Home Office minister Damian Green said: "Laying ID cards to rest demonstrates the government's commitment to scale back the power of the state and restore civil liberties."

In a written parliamentary statement it was recently revealed that the destruction of the NIR and the personal data held on the controversial ID card system will cost about £400,000.

This story was first published by Computer Weekly