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Tories demand data loss 'truth' Tories demand data loss 'truth'
(39 minutes later)
Ministers must tell "the true version of events" over the loss of discs with 25m people's personal details on them, the Conservatives are demanding.Ministers must tell "the true version of events" over the loss of discs with 25m people's personal details on them, the Conservatives are demanding.
Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said senior Revenue and Customs managers had approved the details' transfer.Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said senior Revenue and Customs managers had approved the details' transfer.
She also questioned the government's claim the banks asked for more time before the public were told. She also questioned the government's claim the banks had asked for more time before the public were told.
Commons leader Harriet Harman told MPs they must wait for the outcome of the government's investigation.Commons leader Harriet Harman told MPs they must wait for the outcome of the government's investigation.
The Conservatives say HM Revenue and Customs declined the request in March to remove bank details from any information sent to the National Audit Office as it would be "too costly and too complicated". Ms May called for an "urgent statement" from Chancellor Alistair Darling over his claim a junior official was to blame for losing the data, which she said had now been "contradicted".
Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Philip Hammond said: "It was made clear the Revenue would not be able to make it available in that form because it would involve an additional payment to an IT firm." Ms May also called on Mr Darling to "set the record straight" over his claim the banks had wanted "as much time as possible to prepare for the announcement" - something she said had been denied by the British Bankers Association.
See sequence of events in the lost CDs scandalSee sequence of events in the lost CDs scandal
He said an assistant director at HMRC was copied in on the decision by e-mail. She told MPs: "The Northern Rock fiasco and the HMRC scandal tell us everything we need to know about the government - incompetent, insincere and in deep trouble. Isn't it time somebody just got a grip?"
"Alistair Darling told the House of Commons this was a single maverick junior official operating in contravention of the rules," Mr Hammond told the BBC. Ms Harman urged MPs to wait for the outcome of the government's inquiries.
She said: "What we want is full reliable information on this and not speculation."
MISSING DATA INCLUDES National insurance numberName, address and birth datePartner's detailsNames, sex and age of childrenBank/savings account details -->Enlarge Image-->MISSING DATA INCLUDES National insurance numberName, address and birth datePartner's detailsNames, sex and age of childrenBank/savings account details -->Enlarge Image-->
"This seems to suggest a decision was made at a senior level not to desensitise the data simply to reduce costs." She also rejected Lib Dem President Simon Hughes' call for an emergency debate to discuss the implications of the data crisis on plans for a national identity card scheme.
He called on the chancellor to say whether he knew senior officials were involved in the decision before he made his Commons statement on Tuesday. Mr Hughes told MPs: "We need to assess the stupidity of that proposal... so we don't waste any more public money going down that completely unhelpful road."
The Tory disclosures are based on a memo by NAO chief Sir John Bourn released to the chairman of the Commons public accounts committee Edward Leigh. The Conservatives claim HMRC managers - under pressure to save cash - declined a request in March to remove bank details from any information sent to the National Audit Office - as it would be "too costly and too complicated".
The government has said there is a dispute between HMRC and the NAO over what was said about the Housing Benefit data and the full details will only be confirmed by the outcome of the investigation ordered by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The claims are based on a memo by NAO chief Sir John Bourn released to the chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, Edward Leigh, who also demanded an urgent statement in the Commons.
Spot checks
On Wednesday, Mr Brown apologised for the data loss but said it was down to officials not following the rules rather than "systemic" failures at HMRC caused by budget cuts.On Wednesday, Mr Brown apologised for the data loss but said it was down to officials not following the rules rather than "systemic" failures at HMRC caused by budget cuts.
CHILD BENEFIT HOAXES Hours after the blunder emerged, a website claimed to be offering the missing data for downloadFullreleases.com, a site registered in Arizona, lists several files entitled "child benefit", but users must pay $29.95 plus tax to join before they can view themHowever, once money is paid the files cannot be accessed and the site appears to be a scamThe HMRC said people should take care with any transaction on the internet and anyone concerned about their data should call the helpline 'Our data was put at risk' Your questions answeredCHILD BENEFIT HOAXES Hours after the blunder emerged, a website claimed to be offering the missing data for downloadFullreleases.com, a site registered in Arizona, lists several files entitled "child benefit", but users must pay $29.95 plus tax to join before they can view themHowever, once money is paid the files cannot be accessed and the site appears to be a scamThe HMRC said people should take care with any transaction on the internet and anyone concerned about their data should call the helpline 'Our data was put at risk' Your questions answered
He has ordered security checks on all government departments to ensure data is properly protected.He has ordered security checks on all government departments to ensure data is properly protected.
Under the plans, the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, will be given powers to carry out spot checks - a move previously rejected by ministers.Under the plans, the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, will be given powers to carry out spot checks - a move previously rejected by ministers.
But Mr Brown rejected calls to give Mr Thomas power to mount spot checks on private firms which hold personal data, such as banks or internet search companies.But Mr Brown rejected calls to give Mr Thomas power to mount spot checks on private firms which hold personal data, such as banks or internet search companies.
HMRC is protecting the identity of the official blamed for sending the two discs containing the details of 25m people by courier from the Child Benefit office in Washington, Tyne and Wear, to the NAO in London on 18 October.HMRC is protecting the identity of the official blamed for sending the two discs containing the details of 25m people by courier from the Child Benefit office in Washington, Tyne and Wear, to the NAO in London on 18 October.
The official, who the BBC understands is a 23-year-old man, has reportedly been suspended pending disciplinary action.The official, who the BBC understands is a 23-year-old man, has reportedly been suspended pending disciplinary action.
  • Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has set up a Child Benefit Helpline on 0845 302 1444 for customers who want more details.
  • Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has set up a Child Benefit Helpline on 0845 302 1444 for customers who want more details.
    • LOST CDS - SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 18 October - Junior official from HMRC in Washington, Tyne and Wear, sends two CDs containing password-protected records to audit office in London through courier TNT, neither recorded nor registered 24 October - When package fails to arrive, second one is sent by registered post and arrives safely3 November - Senior managers are told first package has been lost10 November - Prime minister and other ministers are informed12 November - HMRC tell ministers CDs will probably be found 14 November - When HMRC searches fail, Metropolitan Police are called in 15 November- Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner, says remedial action must be taken before public is informed 20 November - HMRC Chairman Paul Gray resigns; Chancellor Alistair Darling makes announcement to House of Commons21 November - Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologises and orders security checks Timeline in detail LOST CDS - SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 18 October - Junior official from HMRC in Washington, Tyne and Wear, sends two CDs containing password-protected records to audit office in London through courier TNT, neither recorded nor registered 24 October - When package fails to arrive, second one is sent by registered post and arrives safely3 November - Senior managers are told first package has been lost10 November - Prime minister and other ministers are informed12 November - HMRC tell ministers CDs will probably be found 14 November - When HMRC searches fail, Metropolitan Police are called in 15 November- Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner, says remedial action must be taken before public is informed 20 November - HMRC Chairman Paul Gray resigns; Chancellor Alistair Darling makes announcement to House of Commons21 November - Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologises and orders security checks Timeline in detail
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