Terminal 5 Chaos Threat Over Fingerprint Plan in UK
Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 09:56AM 
The opening of Heathrow's new Terminal 5 was under threat last night after its management was warned that a plan to fingerprint passengers may be illegal.
The £4.3billion terminal is due to open on Thursday.
But the Information Commissioner has told Spanish-owned airport operator BAA that its plan to fingerprint all passengers may breach the Data Protection Act.
The Commissioner's office says passengers ordered to give their prints should do so "under protest" and that such a scheme would normally be considered "intrusive".
It has launched an investigation into whether BAA "took account of the data protection implications of its proposal".
Unless Heathrow provides evidence that the move is necessary, the Commissioner has the power to order it to stop fingerprinting passengers or face legal action.
Last night there were fears that Terminal 5's opening could be delayed, potentially causing flight chaos at Heathrow.
David Smith, the Deputy Information Commissioner, said: "We want to know why Heathrow needs to fingerprint passengers at all.
"Taking photographs is less intrusive. So far we have not heard BAA's case for requesting fingerprints.
"If we find there is a breach of data protection legislation, we would hope to persuade them to put things right.
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