U.S. wants to access British ID cards

Washington wants Britain's proposed identity cards to have the same microchip and technology as those used in U.S. documents.

Though U.S. officials say the aim would be to ensure compatibility when screening terror suspects, it would also enable information in British cards to be accessed from the United States.

U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security Michael Chertoff has already discussed the matter with British Home Secretary Charles Clarke, the Independent reported Friday.

Chertoff said Thursday it was vital to seek compatibility.

"I certainly hope we have the same chip ... It would be very bad if we all invested huge amounts of money in biometric systems and they didn't work with each other."

Chertoff said compatibility was intended purely to track down "terrorists and criminals."

U.S. diplomatic sources said later Washington did not wish to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries.

However, the news is likely to fuel protest from civil liberties groups and politicians already opposed to the controversial scheme, which is soon to be considered by Parliament.

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