This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7480360.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Arrests made at ID cards meeting Arrests made at ID cards meeting
(about 4 hours later)
Nine people have been charged with breach of the peace following an incident at a meeting about ID cards in Edinburgh.Nine people have been charged with breach of the peace following an incident at a meeting about ID cards in Edinburgh.
A Home Office minister was meeting business leaders and local government officials to outline the proposals when protestors tried to enter the room. There were protests as a Home Office minister was meeting business leaders and local government officials to outline the proposals.
They were removed by police and nine have been charged. Activists were removed by police and nine have been charged.
The event was part of a UK-wide consultation which allows organisations to give feedback on the plans.The event was part of a UK-wide consultation which allows organisations to give feedback on the plans.
A number of protestors had gathered outside a hotel where the meeting was taking place.A number of protestors had gathered outside a hotel where the meeting was taking place.
Some of them entered the meeting room and when they refused to leave they were removed by police and arrested. Activists said that one protester had entered the meeting room, while others were not allowed access. When they refused to leave they were removed by police and arrested.
The Anti-ID card campaign group NO2ID said repeated requests for them to attend the consultation had been refused and they branded the process a "sham".The Anti-ID card campaign group NO2ID said repeated requests for them to attend the consultation had been refused and they branded the process a "sham".
We are committed to providing people with the option of having an identity card Meg HillierHome Office minister for identity National ID Scheme Delivery PlanWe are committed to providing people with the option of having an identity card Meg HillierHome Office minister for identity National ID Scheme Delivery Plan
Geraint Bevan, the group's co-ordinator in Scotland, accused the Home Office of refusing to listen to the public on the issue.Geraint Bevan, the group's co-ordinator in Scotland, accused the Home Office of refusing to listen to the public on the issue.
He said: "The ID database will result in a massive erosion of privacy for individuals.He said: "The ID database will result in a massive erosion of privacy for individuals.
"Ministers have declined our invitations to attend genuine public meetings."Ministers have declined our invitations to attend genuine public meetings.
"They are clearly scared of hearing what the public might say.""They are clearly scared of hearing what the public might say."
The Home Office minister for identity, Meg Hillier, said: "We are committed to providing people with the option of having an identity card which will make day-to-day life much easier.The Home Office minister for identity, Meg Hillier, said: "We are committed to providing people with the option of having an identity card which will make day-to-day life much easier.
"I am convinced, like people everywhere, the people of Scotland are keen to protect themselves and their families against identity fraud, as well as protecting their communities against crime, illegal immigration and terrorism.""I am convinced, like people everywhere, the people of Scotland are keen to protect themselves and their families against identity fraud, as well as protecting their communities against crime, illegal immigration and terrorism."
'Abuse of power''Abuse of power'
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "When government ministers refuse to attend public meetings but instead hide behind secretly organised "consultation" meetings, we know New Labour is losing the plot. Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "When government ministers refuse to attend public meetings but instead hide behind secretly organised 'consultation' meetings, we know New Labour is losing the plot.
"But when peaceful protesters are arrested for simply standing up against a government's abuse of power, then anyone who cares about liberty should be outraged.""But when peaceful protesters are arrested for simply standing up against a government's abuse of power, then anyone who cares about liberty should be outraged."
Plans to introduce ID cards were laid out by the home secretary in March.Plans to introduce ID cards were laid out by the home secretary in March.
The cards will be mandatory for some foreign nationals from November and for airport workers from next year.The cards will be mandatory for some foreign nationals from November and for airport workers from next year.
From 2010, students will be able to apply for a card on a voluntary basis and the following year it will be available to anyone who wants one.From 2010, students will be able to apply for a card on a voluntary basis and the following year it will be available to anyone who wants one.
Under the plans, the full roll-out would be in 2017.Under the plans, the full roll-out would be in 2017.
The public consultation on ID cards ends on Monday - comments can be e-mailed to Consultation Response at identitycards@ips.gsi.gov.uk.The public consultation on ID cards ends on Monday - comments can be e-mailed to Consultation Response at identitycards@ips.gsi.gov.uk.