Your story Passports will be needed to buy mobile phones (News, October 19) is both factually incorrect and misleading. For the record, we have not even considered this as a policy option, much less decided it should be the policy.

We have also made it clear that changes in technology mean that unless we take action we will lose the capability to obtain communications data. This is a serious issue which requires a serious response. The police and intelligence agencies need this data to combat terrorism and serious crime. If we do not act, their ability to do their job will be severely impaired. Any government would be failing in its duty to protect the public if it allowed that to happen.

However, we are committed to looking at a range of options for doing this and we want an informed debate so that we can strike the right balance between, on the one hand, privacy and civil liberties and, on the other, security and protection of the public.

Finally, you allege that the home secretary “faces a revolt” by Home Office officials. There is no disagreement between the home secretary and Home Office officials on these issues.

Jacqui Smith
Home Secretary

Sir David Normington
Permanent Secretary Home Office

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