Have we got news for you: Iris scanners make the news
Having a laugh. But nobody was laughing stood in a 2 hour queue at the airport.
Last week an investigation by the Bureau into failed technology at Border Control provided a poignant factor in news coverage of extensive airport queues.
The story, which ran in part in the Independent and their sister, i newspaper, was also featured in Have I Got News For You’s coverage of airport delays and Olympic security.
Host Jeremy Clarkson asked the satirical news-show’s panel, ‘How successful do you think the IRIS technology has been?’ He then went on to point out the Home Office’s website which states that registration for the system is no longer available.
Panel guest Nancy Dell’Olio chipped in saying ‘It doesn’t work at all, it’s created chaos.’
A Freedom of Information request from the Bureau to UK Border Agency revealed the IRIS scanners had been used just 4.7m times since their introduction in 2006. With a cost of over £9m this means it cost the UK government nearly £2 every time someone used the scanners.
The story was also featured on the Liberal Conspiracy blog.
Sign up for email alerts from the Bureau here.
