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Tories demand data loss 'truth' Discs 'are in government offices'
(about 1 hour 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. Letters are being sent to seven million families telling them the lost discs with their bank details on are "likely to still be on government property".
Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said senior Revenue and Customs managers had approved the details' transfer. Police are continuing to search for the discs full of personal details which were lost by HM Revenue and Customs.
She also questioned the government's claim the banks had asked for more time before the public were told. The revenue says investigations suggest the discs, with 25 million people's files on, are not in criminal hands.
Commons leader Harriet Harman told MPs they must wait for the outcome of the government's investigation. It comes as ministers are urged by the Tories to "tell the true version" of events leading to the data being lost.
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". The Conservatives claim senior managers at HMRC had approved the transfer of bank details on to the discs to save cash.
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. The department was under pressure to cut costs and it did not want to pay an IT firm to remove sensitive information from the Child Benefit register, the Tories say.
A senior business manager at HMRC sent an e-mail in March to the National Audit Office (NAO) - copying in another senior HMRC official at assistant director level, according to a memo given to the Tories by the NAO.
See sequence of events in the lost CDs scandalSee sequence of events in the lost CDs scandal
The e-mail states that the data would not be "desensitised" in the way that had been requested as it would require an extra payment to data services provider.
The government now plans to release the e-mail exchange in full, which it says will show there was no evidence a "senior official" took the decision to release the full Child Benefit database in breach of HMRC procedures and, almost certainly, the law.
Shadow Commons leader Theresa May called for an "urgent statement" from Chancellor Alistair Darling to give MPs the "true version of events" surrounding the release of data.
'Fiasco'
Ms May also called on Mr Darling to explain 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.
MISSING DATA INCLUDES National insurance numberName, address and birth datePartner's detailsNames, sex and age of childrenBank/savings account details -->Enlarge Image-->
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?"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?"
Ms Harman urged MPs to wait for the outcome of the government's inquiries.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."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-->
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.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.
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."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 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". Spot checks
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.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Gordon 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, Prime Minister Gordon 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 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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