The European commission have written to the UK government  about their concerns that UK data protection legislation may not be in comlpiance with the EU data protection directive of 1995, especially in the light of the recent Durrant v  Financial Services Authority case.
 
"OUT-LAW understands that the failure of the UK Government to guarantee the right of access to personal data is likely to be a strong feature of the letter. Other concerns appear to include insufficient controls on international transfers of data and a lack of investigative powers given to the Commissioner." 
 
There is a hint of irony about this letter coming at the same time as Tom Ridge confirming the killing off of CAPPS II.