Disks still missing: Confidence in Labour 'plummets'

Link: Confidence in Labour 'plummets' | UK Latest | Guardian Unlimited.

Confidence in Labour 'plummets'

Press Association

Friday November 23, 2007 7:03 AM

The Government will face fresh questions over the loss of millions of voters' personal data amid evidence the debacle has helped fuel a massive slump in public confidence.

One poll showed those backing Labour's ability to handle economic problems had been more than halved to 28%, with just a quarter deeming Gordon Brown's administration "competent and capable".

And another gave the Tories a nine-point overall lead, its strongest position for 15 years, just weeks after Labour enjoyed an 11-point advantage in the same poll.

The revelation that two CDs containing the information, including bank details, had failed to reach the National Audit Office in London after being sent through HM Revenue and Customs' internal post system sparked fears they could fall into the hands of fraudsters.

The Opposition seized on the release of Whitehall emails about the transfer of 25 million individuals' personal details to pile further pressure on Chancellor Alistair Darling. (((So now the internal emails are getting leaked, too? What could be worse? Oh wait! How about journalists disguising themselves as bureaucrats and walking into the HQ to play with the computers?)))

Meanwhile an urgent review of security at the London headquarters of the HMRC has been ordered after a journalist posing as a contractor gained access.

The Sun reporter said he "swanned around unchallenged" at HM Revenue and Custom's offices in Euston after being issued with a temporary security pass and had access to files. (((What KIND of "access to files," his fellow journalist wonders.)))

An HMRC spokesman said: "This is a very serious breach of our building security.
We are urgently reviewing the security measures in place at all of our premises." (((Why do they bother to say stuff like this? Like you're gonna roust every contractor who gets in and out of the place now? You'll go out of business.)))

The thundering TIMES weighs in magisterially:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article2926068.ece

".... the extent to which this event has deflated confidence in Gordon Brown and his administration across the board is striking. The proportion of the public that believes this comparatively new team is competent and capable, has a good set of leaders or is honest and principled has essentially been halved in two months. The Prime Minister’s standing with the country has moved from a honeymoon to trial separation without cohabitation. (...) His Chancellor could easily be fatally damaged if more examples of unheeded warnings on data emerge."

(((So, you know, all you have to do to unseat the present Prime Minister of Great Britain is hack and sack a few UK government databanks. With or without inside help. That oughta be pretty easy. The Storm Worm gang must pwn any number of those boxes already.)))

(((Or another stunt like this, that oughta do it:)))

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article498005.ece
Read it 'n' weep, minions of govt credibility

"I infiltrated the inner sanctum of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs — its London HQ — simply by donning a fluorescent bib and carrying a clipboard costing £1.99...."

(((It's some ripping stuff, for a boring old computer-security story:)))

"Nobody batted an eyelid as I traversed each floor several times over. Most staff were huddled over their computer terminals or were chatting in small groups.

"Ironically, the scandal surrounding the missing discs was the subject of more than one conversation I eavesdropped.

“My mates keep asking me whether I’ve dropped anything or left anything important on the train. It’s a real pain.” They were unaware the lax security in their own offices would have been a godsend to terrorists — or identity theft fraudsters intent on stealing information about unwitting members of the public.

"Several high-level meetings appeared to be taking place as I continued my unhindered ramble. Men and women in suits were crowded around tables in side rooms on more than one of the floors I visited. Perhaps the topic under discussion was how to improve security. Finally I made my way to the lifts — and a minute later was back outside...."