Tories will back ID cards Bill

The Conservatives are to support the Government's controversial ID cards Bill despite a shadow cabinet split over the issue.

In a bid to head off Labour claims that they are soft on terrorism, the party will back the legislation in principle in the Commons next week.

Tory leader Michael Howard will order his MPs to vote for the second reading of the Bill to neutralise the issue ahead of a general election campaign.

But after a near-revolt by some of his colleagues, the party will say it has not signed a "blank cheque" and that the ID card plans have to be practical and protect individual privacy. The Evening Standard understands that shadow home secretary David Davis and a small number of colleagues opposed the idea of supporting the Bill.

Mr Davis told a meeting of the shadow cabinet that worries about the cards' costs and civil liberties should make the plans a cause for concern in principle. He said: "Before 9/11, I wouldn't have considered the idea. After 9/11, we at least have to consider it."

However, after Mr Howard said abstaining or opposing the Bill in principle was not an option, the shadow cabinet agreed to back the plans. Shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin and shadow environment secretary Tim Yeo did not object, a senior source said. There were no threats of resignations over the affair.