TNT: You can't blame us for lost computer discs

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Angry courier firm tells Darling: You can't blame us for lost computer discs

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/arti ... 't+blame+u

Chancellor Alistair Darling faced fresh criticism last night over his handling of the child-benefit data crisis - from the company he blamed for losing the two computer discs.

Courier firm TNT, which Mr Darling named in his emergency statement to MPs last week, said that there was "no evidence" that it was responsible.

And it has become clear that Royal Mail and private courier DX also operate postal services at HM Revenue & Customs, the Government department that lost the data.

Royal Mail admitted that an emergency search for the CDs took place at its Belfast office on Friday morning. Sources said a similar investigation took place at DX, although it has refused to confirm this.

A spokesman for TNT said: "We were disappointed to be mentioned by name. The Chancellor did not have any evidence to show that we were to blame when he made that statement to Parliament.

"Indeed, HMRC last week said in a letter to millions of people that it is likely the discs are still within Government property.

"Neither the police nor HMRC has said there is 100 per cent proof that we handled the package. There are three sacks at the tax office in Washington - one for TNT mail, one for the Royal Mail and one for DX. It could have gone into any one of these."

The disclosure heightens concern about the embattled Chancellor's handling of the calamity. Mr Darling's initial claim - that the biggest loss of personal data in history was down to a blunder by a junior official - has also proved to be false.

Emails have shown that Nigel Jordan, a senior official at HMRC, was told of the decision to post the two discs containing the entire child benefit database, including recipients' bank account details, to a Government auditor.

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne said last night: "Alistair Darling must now return to Parliament to explain himself."

The CDs were lost while being posted from HMRC's office in Washington, Tyne and Wear, to the National Audit Office (NAO) in London. It had requested partial information and warned HMRC to be careful with the data. But HMRC decided it could not afford £5,000 to "desensitise" the CDs and sent the entire child benefit database in unregistered and unrecorded post.

The news provoked panic, with thousands of people rushing to change their bank details.

Mr Darling told Parliament: "Two password-protected discs containing a full copy of HMRC's entire data in relation to the payment of child benefit were sent to the NAO by HMRC's internal post system operated by the courier TNT."

Yesterday, police searched TNT depots at Durham and Bermondsey in London. But the widening of investigations to include the Royal Mail and DX has increased fears that the data could fall into criminal hands.

The junior official at the centre of the scandal was last night offered lifelong anonymity to protect him from vigilante attacks. Unions at HMRC have vowed to protect him from a "witchhunt".

The move triggered calls for Mr Jordan, who is in charge of child benefit at HMRC, to show himself. The 49-year-old divorcé, who has since had gay relationships, has not been seen recently at his mock-Tudor home in West Wickham, Kent.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "HMRC asked if we would check our office in Belfast to see if the missing package had mistakenly been posted there."

DX declined to comment.

[Stormproof]

Its probably a surcharge and sitting on the shelf in a callers office waiting for the NAO to pay £1.40

[andy2007]

As I have already said in an earlier Thread, this lax attitude to our personal information is frankly scary!

However, what possible relevance is there in telling us that Mr. Jordan is a divorcee who has had Gay relationships?

Is the author of that article Homophobic, or do they think that the Public generally, are?

[DGP1]

But HMRC decided it could not afford £5,000 to "desensitise" the CDs and sent the entire child benefit database in unregistered and unrecorded post.

How can it possibly cost £5000 to 'desensitise' the data, all you have to do is adjust the database to give the data you want (at least that's what any database I've ever used can do)

[andy2007]

But HMRC decided it could not afford £5,000 to "desensitise" the CDs and sent the entire child benefit database in unregistered and unrecorded post.

How can it possibly cost £5000 to 'desensitise' the data, all you have to do is adjust the database to give the data you want (at least that's what any database I've ever used can do)

It's even easier with Industrial Databases like Oracle, and I seriously doubt that they are using PC based Software for a database that big.

All they have to do, is type one single line at the Command Prompt, and they get the precise Data they need! (about 2 seconds for a good typist!)

[k979aaa]

So TNT want to play pass the parcel so what is so new about that. But they alone should carry the can for if they cannot and will not why should they carry anything anymore. For POSTCOMM should review their licence if not revoke it entirely!.

[Big Daz]

What is the relevancve that Mr Jordan has had gay relationships and he a 49 year old divorced man?

[pinstripe]

So TNT want to play pass the parcel so what is so new about that. But they alone should carry the can for if they cannot and will not why should they carry anything anymore. For POSTCOMM should review their licence if not revoke it entirely!.

Why is it when we 'lose' something, Telegraph readers are demanding that we are all sacked and replaced by immigrants. The right wing media in this country are only too eager to publicise any mistakes made by RM, but if any of our competitors drop a clanger it's hushed up, brushed aside or their excuses are not only accepted but the blame is then laid somewhere else. I know this sounds paranoid, but it's still true. If we had lost them you can guarantee there would have been dozens of sackings, managers moved and higher bonuses for Al and Adam, not to mention constant re-runs on Sky News.

[andy2007]

So TNT want to play pass the parcel so what is so new about that. But they alone should carry the can for if they cannot and will not why should they carry anything anymore. For POSTCOMM should review their licence if not revoke it entirely!.

Why is it when we 'lose' something, Telegraph readers are demanding that we are all sacked and replaced by immigrants. The right wing media in this country are only too eager to publicise any mistakes made by RM, but if any of our competitors drop a clanger it's hushed up, brushed aside or their excuses are not only accepted but the blame is then laid somewhere else. I know this sounds paranoid, but it's still true. If we had lost them you can guarantee there would have been dozens of sackings, managers moved and higher bonuses for Al and Adam, not to mention constant re-runs on Sky News.

I couldn't agree more. They even stated that there are 3 Mailbags there, for Us, TNT, and I think DX is the other one, but I'm not sure. How long do you think it will be, before they claim that it IS all down to us. Even though they admitted in the first place that it was TNT?

Don't forget: Just because you are getting Paranoid, doesn't mean that they AREN'T out to get you!

[andy2007]

Why am I not surprised, that they didn't Publish my comment on the story?
Both myself, and Big Daz have asked what the relevance to Mr Jordan's Sexual Orientation has to the Story, here. And I also Posted a Comment on the Newspaper's Article, asking the same thing. (Not) Surprisingly, they haven't included my Comment. I wonder why?
A guilty Concience perhaps?

Does ANYONE have ANY idea, why this information would be relevant?!?
I certainly don't!

[eroader]

Why am I not surprised, that they didn't Publish my comment on the story?
Both myself, and Big Daz have asked what the relevance to Mr Jordan's Sexual Orientation has to the Story, here. And I also Posted a Comment on the Newspaper's Article, asking the same thing. (Not) Surprisingly, they haven't included my Comment. I wonder why?
A guilty Concience perhaps?

Does ANYONE have ANY idea, why this information would be relevant?!?
I certainly don't!

Making Him look like a man lacking in moral fiber,so that all the blame can be apportioned to Him.To keep people from looking for someone else higher up to blame.It also helps to strengthen the believe that gays can't be trusted.After all they don't want us thinking gays are normal do they.

[gspot01]

Cant anyone see whats going to happen here, doesnt matter which mail it went in cause even if they find them you aint gonna get TNT saying hey we found them or RM for that matter. Who wants to be the one who lost them. At least if they stay lost they cant pin the blame firmly on anyone.

[k979aaa]

Cant anyone see whats going to happen here, doesnt matter which mail it went in cause even if they find them you aint gonna get TNT saying hey we found them or RM for that matter. Who wants to be the one who lost them. At least if they stay lost they cant pin the blame firmly on anyone.

I can for it is GORDON BROWN for he merged the treasury and custom's for it is his fault and no one else's for if gordon looked in the mirror (not the paper) he still would not have the vision to see he is the culprit.

[jemima]

From http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/colum ... uthor_id=1

"It would never happen in the private sector, we were assured by government critics last week when the tax and banking records of 25m people when missing.

Poppycock. As we report today the pharmaceutical giant Abbot has lost the records of hundreds of employees exposing them to identity fraud.

Unlike the government, Abbott says it operates stringent security. All transfers between HQ and its payroll supplier Logica CMG are closely monitored.

Despite this the records cannot be traced. No prizes for guessing the courier company involved. It is the Dutch firm TNT. This could be an unfortunate coincidence.

But it might also suggest there is something fundamentally wrong with its systems.

What an opportunity for our own Royal Mail to step into the breach if it wasn't so hopelessly dysfunctional."