Coercion claims over ID Cards

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A leaked Home Office document indicated that "coercion" tactics were being considered as a way of introducing the controversial scheme.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has always insisted that ID Cards will remain voluntary for Britons unless Parliament decides otherwise.

But the latest memo - obtained by the Sunday People and headed "Options Analysis" - suggests officials are already thinking about how they can be made obligatory.

It states: "Various forms of coercion, such as designation of the application process for identity documents issued by UK ministers (e.g passports) are an option to stimulate applications in a manageable way.

"There are advantages to designation of documents associated with particular target groups, e.g young people who may be applying for their first driving licence."

The document adds that "universal compulsion should not be used unless absolutely necessary".

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis branded the apparent plan "outrageous". "The Government has seen their ID card proposals stagger from shambles to shambles," he said. "Now they plan to use coercion in a desperate attempt to bolster a failed policy."

A Home Office spokesman said: "We do not comment on leaked documents. When developing policy, it is right and logical that our first priority is to consider where ID cards can be of greatest benefit to the UK and to the individual.

"All employers require an official proof of identity and ID cards offer greater security and consistency. We will begin issuing compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals this year and the first ID cards for British citizens in 2009 - we will make further announcements about the rollout of ID cards in due course."