Blunkett backs ID cards to end asylum abuse

The home secretary has said that there will be no "robust" way of ending asylum abuses until a national identity card is introduced.

With ministers seeking to push forward the current debate on proposals for an "entitlement" card, the latest statement signals that ministers are minded to give the green light to the controversial proposal.

David Blunkett hinted that tackling key problems of identity would require the identity card to be made compulsory.

The comments came during a session of Home Office questions in the Commons - during which Blunkett linked the need for an ID card to ongoing difficulties in proving the identity of asylum seekers.

Current moves to tighten up asylum and immigration screening procedures might not be enough, the home secretary indicated.

"I believe that until we have an entitlement or ID card for all those in our country we will not have a robust way of determining true identity or right to work," he said.

Blunkett had earlier condemned opposition politicians for trying to link weaknesses in the asylum system to the potential terrorist threat.

His Conservative shadow, Oliver Letwin, had called on the home secretary to accept that it was legitimate to raise the issue of links between the terrorist threat and "deficiencies" in the asylum and immigration system.

Blunkett accepted it was legitimate to ensure the screening system was strengthened and effective.

"What is not right is to infer constantly...that there is a major problem with asylum seekers as opposed to a major problem with those who threaten our life and limb," he said.

"Anyone who pretends there is a simple and easy answer...is not only deluding themselves and those around us but unnecessarily whipping up scares which can do no good in terms of our security measures and every harm to our community and race relations, which I have to say are often fragile and could so easily tip over into a situation which we could not control."