DNA of innocents to be retained for 6 years

The Guardian may have jumped the gun in reporting 3 weeks ago that the government was dropping plans for legislation on the retention of DNA of people never changed or convicted of a criminal offence. The folks at the Telegraph seem to think that the retention of DNA of innocents for 6 years is still very much on the table.

The general confusion surrounding this type of issue and the interception modernisation programme is likely to be a continuing feature of the briefing and counter-briefing going on, the manoeuvring in preparation for a general election next year by all political parties (and preparation of government officials expecting a change of administration), and the limited time left to the new labour government to implement new laws.  We can expect lots of tough on crime and terrorism proposals from the government and opposition in the run up to the election though.