First ID card watchdog named

The government has appointed its first identity commissioner to keep tabs on the UK's ID cards scheme.

Sir Joseph Pilling will take up the watchdog role from next month, where he will be responsible for independently monitoring how ID cards are used by private companies and public sector organisations, as well as ensuring "information held on the National Identity Register [the database which stores identity details of UK citizens] is accurate and secure", according to the Home Office.

The Home Office was unable to provide any further information on how the commissioner's investigations might be carried out.

The new identity commissioner will report to the Home Secretary once per year and the report will be laid before parliament.

Despite recently stepping back from plans to make the cards compulsory, the government is still pledging to go ahead with the ID scheme.

Pilling's appointment comes ahead of the rollout of ID cards to the first British citizens. Manchester residents are to be offered the cards this autumn with the scheme expected to go nationwide in 2012.

The ID card that will be issued to UK citizens (photo credit: Home Office)

Only ID cards for UK citizens will come under Pilling's remit. Those distributed to foreign nationals will be covered by the Information Commissioner's Office and the chief inspector for the UK Border Agency.

Pilling's previous roles include permanent secretary to the Northern Ireland Office and reviewing appointments in various bodies including the Church of England and the Civil Aviation Authority. He has also been part of reviews of the 30 Year Rule on the release of government information and the governance of London University.