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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Disc search moves to courier firm | Disc search moves to courier firm |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The search for the two missing discs containing the details of 25m Child Benefit claimants has moved to a number of depots of courier company TNT. | The search for the two missing discs containing the details of 25m Child Benefit claimants has moved to a number of depots of courier company TNT. |
| The computer discs went missing after being put into the internal post at HM Revenue and Customs in Tyne and Wear. | The computer discs went missing after being put into the internal post at HM Revenue and Customs in Tyne and Wear. |
| Police are now focusing on premises of TNT, which delivers HMRC mail, after completing inquiries at HMRC's offices. | Police are now focusing on premises of TNT, which delivers HMRC mail, after completing inquiries at HMRC's offices. |
| A spokesman for TNT said it was impossible to say whether the CDs had ever entered its system. | A spokesman for TNT said it was impossible to say whether the CDs had ever entered its system. |
| "We are all working on that theory, but it cannot be proved one way or the other." | |
| He said this was because the sender of the CDs had used the firm's general mail service rather than its facility that allows customers to monitor the progress of deliveries. | |
| However, TNT was fully co-operating with police, he said. | However, TNT was fully co-operating with police, he said. |
| He said the firm carried up to 100,000 items of mail each night on behalf of HMRC and also had contracts with other government departments and bodies. | |
| Raising fears | Raising fears |
| The missing discs hold the personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16. | |
| The data on them includes the name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and, where relevant, bank details of 25 million people. | The data on them includes the name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and, where relevant, bank details of 25 million people. |
| The discs were intended for the National Audit Office (NAO) in London, but never arrived from HMRC's office in Washington, Tyne and Wear. | The discs were intended for the National Audit Office (NAO) in London, but never arrived from HMRC's office in Washington, Tyne and Wear. |
| See sequence of events in the lost CDs scandal | See sequence of events in the lost CDs scandal |
| Police looking for them completed their search in Washington on Friday night. | Police looking for them completed their search in Washington on Friday night. |
| A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed searches had now started at TNT buildings but she refused to say at how many or reveal the locations. | |
| A core team of 47 detectives from the Specialist and Economic Crime Directorate has been involved in the search operation. | |
| In March, officials at HMRC began the practice of downloading the entire Child Benefit database onto CDs and sending them through the internal mail to the NAO for auditing. | In March, officials at HMRC began the practice of downloading the entire Child Benefit database onto CDs and sending them through the internal mail to the NAO for auditing. |
| The practice only came to light on Tuesday when it was revealed two discs had been lost - raising fears data protection laws had been broken. | The practice only came to light on Tuesday when it was revealed two discs had been lost - raising fears data protection laws had been broken. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told MPs he "profoundly regrets" the loss of the records and he apologised for the "inconvenience and worries" caused to families. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told MPs he "profoundly regrets" the loss of the records and he apologised for the "inconvenience and worries" caused to families. |
| He said the government was working to prevent the data being used for fraud. | He said the government was working to prevent the data being used for fraud. |
| 'Failure of duty' | 'Failure of duty' |
| But Conservative leader David Cameron said the government had "failed in its first duty to protect the public". | But Conservative leader David Cameron said the government had "failed in its first duty to protect the public". |
| On Friday, it also emerged that the NAO had handed unencrypted discs containing details of all Child Benefit claimants to accountants KPMG. | On Friday, it also emerged that the NAO had handed unencrypted discs containing details of all Child Benefit claimants to accountants KPMG. |
| The NAO said they had been delivered by hand and returned safely. | The NAO said they had been delivered by hand and returned safely. |
| Meanwhile, accountancy firm Grant Thomson has warned that the loss could be repeated if plans to reshape HMRC, including "slashing its funding and staff", continued. | Meanwhile, accountancy firm Grant Thomson has warned that the loss could be repeated if plans to reshape HMRC, including "slashing its funding and staff", continued. |
| Francesca Lagerberg, head of the company's tax office, said the "hard-pushed" department was "being asked to provide more for less". | Francesca Lagerberg, head of the company's tax office, said the "hard-pushed" department was "being asked to provide more for less". |
| 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 |
| Return | Return |