Commenting on reports that children aged 11 to 16 are to have their fingerprints taken and stored on a database when they apply for a passport, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said:

“The Government’s determination to build a surveillance state behind the backs of the British people is becoming increasingly sinister.

“It is a measure of ministerial arrogance that plans are being laid to fingerprint children as young as 11 without having a public debate first.

“As millions of British citizens discover that they will have to pay through the nose for the privilege of being included in a range of Government databases, ministers should not be surprised if public resistance becomes ever more vocal.”