Plans for a UK passport containing biometric identifiers have been in the pipeline for years, linked to the proposed national identity card scheme pushed by former Home Secretary David Blunkett. However, when it came to approving the proposed Regulation on EU standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents, the UK was not allowed to participate.
The reason for this exclusion is historical: the Regulation is a development of the controversial Schengen Information System, which enables enforcement agencies throughout Europe to have access to a database of reports on individuals and objects, such as cars, for border control purposes, internal police checks and in some cases for the purpose of issuing visas, residence permits and administrating persons that the system defines as aliens.
It became operational in seven countries in 1995 and now covers the bulk of the original 15 Member States, but the UK and Ireland are only partially involved. Accordingly, they will not be bound by the Regulation and on Monday, when the Regulation was put forward for approval at the General Affairs Council, the UK was not permitted to join the proceedings.
In a unilateral statement the UK Government said:
"The United Kingdom recalls that, under the Protocols on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland and on integrating the Schengen aquis into the framework of the European Union, it has the right to take part in the adoption of this measure. It regrets that it has been denied that right."
"The adoption of this measure is without prejudice to the United Kingdom's legal position, and its right to take such legal steps in accordance with that position as it considers necessary."
Under the Regulation, Member States will be required to incorporate, in new issued passports, the portrait of the holder within 18 months, and fingerprints within three years.