DNA: Bill would remove 'innocents' from database - Burstow

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jun 2008

Innocent people would have their details removed from the DNA database under a Ten-minute Rule Bill laid before Parliament today by a group of MPs including Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow.

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, said, " There are over one million innocent people who have their DNA permanently on the DNA database - that's more than three times the population of Cardiff. What's more over 100,000 of them are children.

" As well as the loss of civil liberties, all the evidence shows that continuing to take, analyse and store innocent people's DNA has not improved crime detection rates. In fact the cost of doing so means fewer resources for frontline policing.

" Our Criminal Justice system was built on the principle of innocent until proven guilty. We need to bring that principle back by allowing innocent people to get their DNA removed from the database." 

The text of the Bill reads:

" That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the removal from the DNA Database of DNA samples taken from individuals who are not charged or who are acquitted; and for connected purposes."

ends

Notes to editor

Paul Burstow MP is one of the sponsors of the Bill others include the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz MP.