Digital ID cards a 'ludicrous proposition' says Sinn Féin leader

Mary Lou McDonald made the comments at an event hosted by her party at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has warned that her party will resist any move by the British government to "force" identity cards on Irish citizens in Northern Ireland.

She dismissed it as a "ham-fisted" plan and said no thought had been given to people in Northern Ireland when "it was first hatched".

The Sinn Féin president was speaking at an event hosted by her party at the Labour party conference in Liverpool.

McDonald said the proposed "BritCard" was a "ludicrous proposition" and no government had the right to impose it on Irish citizens.

She added that the right of "citizens in the north to identify as Irish was enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement".

"This is a non-runner and Keir Starmer should pause and reconsider this plan," she said.

In her speech, the Sinn Féin president also accused the British and Irish governments of "burying their heads in the sand" over Irish unity.

She said both governments entered into an agreement which committed to hold referendums and they should now start the preparations.

"It is not sustainable for the prime minister and taoiseach [Irish prime minister] to ignore the calls for Irish unity any longer," she added.

What is the plan for digital ID cards?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the ID cards will ensure the UK's "borders are more secure".

The IDs will be used to prove a person's right to live and work in the UK.

They will take the form of an app-based system, stored on smartphones in a similar way to the NHS App or digital bank cards.

They won't have to be carried day-to-day, but they will be compulsory for anyone wanting to work.

Information on the holders' residency status, name, date of birth, nationality and a photo will be included.

Announcing the scheme, Sir Keir said: "You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID. It's as simple as that."