Browne to make statement on MoD data loss
600,000 people have identities lost by theft of Ministry of Defence laptop
Saturday, 19, Jan 2008 12:00
Des Browne is due to speak to MPs at the "earliest opportunity" after a Ministry of Defence (MoD) laptop containing personal details of 600,000 people was stolen.
The defence secretary is expected to make a statement to the House of Commons on Monday, echoing similar moves by Cabinet colleagues Alistair Darling and Ruth Kelly.
Both the chancellor and transport secretary apologised in the Commons after 25 million child benefit claimants and three million learner drivers had their identities lost by government blunders in the last two months of 2007.
The latest entry in the data loss affair came about following the theft of a laptop from a Royal Navy officer's parked car in Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the early hours of January 10th.
The MoD said it has only made the information public because it did not want to impact on West Midlands police's investigation into the theft.
A statement confirmed a "large quantity" of personal data had been lost along with the laptop, including the passport details, National Insurance numbers, drivers' licence details, family details, and NHS numbers of people who "have either expressed an interest in, or have joined, the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force".
An MoD spokesperson insisted the ministry was treating the incident with the "utmost seriousness".
"We are writing to some 3,500 people whose bank details were included on the database," the representative explained.
"Action has already been taken with the assistance of [payments association] Apacs to inform the relevant banks so that the relevant accounts can be flagged for scrutiny against unauthorised access."
West Midlands police added: "The matter is being thoroughly and professionally investigated at this time, in conjunction with Ministry of Defence police."
A helpline is in the process of being set up for affected individuals, but in the meantime the MoD is asking concerned people to contact them through the email address recruitdata@check.mod.uk.