Biometrics roadshow kicks off ID cards charm offensive

The public are being invited to try out the technology behind the national ID card scheme at the UK Passport Service's (UKPS) "biometrics roadshow".

The Home Office-backed roadshow is part of the government's latest attempt to convince an increasingly sceptical public that ID cards will safeguard their identities by raising awareness of biometric technology.

On the one hand they are arresting and DNA testing peaceful protestors and on the other... they are going around airports trying to sell the benefits of ID cards. It's no wonder they are in need of a charm offensive

Phil Booth, national co-ordinator, No2ID

The campaign kicks off today at Manchester Airport, where members of the public will be able to have their irises and fingerprints recorded as well as see a demonstration of the new ePassports and biometric technology from the e-Borders immigration programme.

The mobile facility will visit seven locations around the country. Home Office minister Andy Burnham said it is important that the general public are aware of biometric technology and how it will change the face of their passport.

He said in a statement: "This roadshow is very much a hands-on experience and people will be able to see for themselves how biometrics work and what advantages they can bring in safeguarding our identities."

A spokeswoman for the Home Office would only say that subsequent dates and venues for the roadshow would be announced "in due course" over the next couple of months.

Phil Booth, national co-ordinator of the non-partisan No2ID anti-ID card campaign, said the roadshows are "entirely predictable" and described them as another attempt to spin ID cards to the public rather than addressing concerns about the cost and viability of the whole scheme.

Booth also slammed the arrest of six No2ID campaigners at a summit for European justice ministers in Gosforth last week. The six were charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage, locked in a cell for 20 hours, had DNA samples taken and their mobile phones confiscated.

"On the one hand they are arresting and DNA testing peaceful protestors and on the other hand they are going around airports trying to sell the benefits of ID cards. It's no wonder they are in need of a charm offensive," he said.