Now we know why Britain's politicians REALLY wanted the people disarmed - so the people can't give these government criminals the justice they really deserve!

Robert, Los Angeles, USA

From what I understand, the firm which lost this latest batch of data is also heavily involved in the national ID card project...God(s) help us!

Martin, Poole, Wessex

This Govt is beyond farce. The world must be laughing at us.
So Jacqui Smith is furious - does she think we are finding it funny? Funny that the Dept responsible for HOMELAND SECURITY can't even keep highly sensitive data secure. A Govt that wants ID data on every citizen. Kill the ID card scam.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Simple rules: data is never copied to a transportable device such as a data stick, CD or laptop unless unavoidable; if so, it must always be encrypted: sacking offence not to do this.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

The UK persuaded the rest of the EU to impose mandatory long-term retention of communications data across the entire continent. Imagine what the UK press would say if the shoe was on the other foot!

Joe, brussels, belgium

Another inexcusable example of how careless this government is with our security.

How can we stop this inept administration continuing with the doomed ID card and NHS systems ?

Both of these represent the end of our privacy, and a blank cheque for criminals and terrorists.

Heads must roll

cap, lincoln, UK

Let's hear no more about plans for a national ID databases or 'snoopers' databases of all e-mails and phone calls. It's 100% obvious that there is a systemic failure in government to manage the information they demand we hand over to them.

Colin Soames, London,

Note the mention of compensation. No one mentioned that after the child benefit fiasco last year. Any litigant interested in a pro-bono class action- 25 million of us would like to know what we can do, as our bank details were 'lost.'

jesper lemons, Manchester,

Are you kidding yourselves people? That data was worth a fortune to the right (or wrong) people, it was stolen.

John , Galway, Ireland

Confidentiality went out of the windown when New-Labour came to power. Cold calling by US companies, even to numbers that are ex-directory and TPS covered. Data losses from the Government. People ask when will it end, it will end at the next election when we kick them from power.

Nicola Clubb, Bournemouth, Dorset

Does anyone actually believe them? All the data is normally backed up and definitely not kept as the ONLY copy on a memory stick. Its not a family photo album. Are there any other reasons apart from an obvious one - selling it?

Alex, London,

And this is an administration that wants to make us carry ID cards and keep our fingerprints, DNA and medical details in some databank? Why is nobody ever punished when these losses occur?

Ross, Liverpool,

This Government is incapable of keeping any data safe. As an Accountant if I operated like that then I would be closed down. There is no way that this should cost the tax payer anything. This is negligence so the company and government minister responsible should pay.

Nigel, Solihull, UK

For gods sake its 1 blunder after another. And if this was back in the 60s/70s taking sensitive national data out of a secured location was an incredibally serious offense. If we are in a new cold war Russian spies must hardly have to do any hard work anymore,merely loiter around in whitehall.

Chris, Rochdale, UK

Surely the government can't press ahead with their crazy ID card and register scheme now. No one can trust them.

If the names of children whom the judges have said must remain anonymous are on the stick., isn't their release to a private firm a contempt of court?

E Thomson, London, England

Why doesn't this shambles of a government just put every body's personal deals on the Internet and be done with it.
At least then they wouldn't have anything left to lose.
So much for Brown's tenth? relaunch. The Titanic is now in its death throes with Captain Bottler braced for the mutiny.

john, swindon,

Simple...
Don't keep the information. Then, it can't be stolen
Are British so thick???

Andy Crofts, Oulu, Finland

Another shambles. I work in a big communications company, and hardly any of the data we use is confidential, but God help ANYONE who is found using a non secure USB memory stick for anything.
If you set secure practices in place for all data, everyone will use them without a second thought.

Paul, Leeds, England

Very shocking revelation indeed, however, I can't see the fault lies with the government as much as I dislike them. It seems the blame rests solely with PA Consulting Group. I do wonder, why was private company involved in the handling of sensitive data in the first place.

dominik, london,

Quite obviously the government needs to take a stance on data loss. From the article, it is noted that the subcontracting Consultancy company has responsibility here, as a matter of liquidation damages, the consultancy is at fault and must therefore cover the costs associated with this incident.

Graeme, UK, UK

Why should we trust them to keep our personal data safe when they have proved time and time again that they are not able to keep information safe and from prying eyes. If i was a spy in this country i could not ask for more since this government makes it so easy for me to get information. HEADS ROLL

David Sars, exeter, UK

You don't put sensitive data on a memory stick, let alone unencrypted data. How can no offense have been committed?

I've worked with data for years and never lost any because it has always been stored within a secure environment.

Absolutely insane.

Paul, Maidenhead,

Wouldn't life be easier for us all if this shambles of an administration told us what records they hadn't lost?
Lost criminal's records? I suppose that that fraternity will now bring actions for wrongful conviction and, in the biggest scam of all time, appeal every conviction in the last 11 years.

A.M. Williams, Stafford,

Why should any potential compensation claim be funded by the tax payer - any such funding should come from the Home Office pension fund!

peterj, malvern, uk

Another shambles from this pathetic government they want putting on trial

D. Fielder, halesworth, suffolk

This joke isn't funny anymore.

J.Wilkes, Gloucester,

Hhmmm lost eh? How much money is the guy that lost it gonna make. Well done Scotland Yard, please do share all the sensitive information with private companies. You are the ones that suppose to protect us from terrorists and serious criminals? God help us all. Wait till IDs become compulsory.......

Nick, Birmingham,

This is another inexcusable blunder from a government that is hell bent on putting erery personal detail of the whole population on a central data base in the name of increased security. The ID card scheme must be stopped. It is impossible to guarantee its confidentiality

John , Aberdeen,

another fine mess the government have got into - when will it end.

P Reynolds, Worcester, UK