Amanda Holden Criticizes Tony Blair in BBC Digital ID Controversy: ‘No Wonder’

Amanda Holden has expressed her disapproval of the ongoing Digital ID controversy involving Tony Blair. The Britain’s Got Talent judge recently took to Instagram to highlight her concerns about the former Prime Minister’s potential financial ties to the scheme.

Amanda Holden Criticizes Tony Blair in Digital ID Controversy

In her post, Holden pointed out a claim suggesting that Tony Blair’s son, Euan, stands to profit from the Digital ID initiative, which is projected to receive £100 billion for its development and monitoring. This claim was shared with her 2.6 million followers, stating, “No wonder Tony Blair wants Digital IDs.” It also mentioned that Blair allegedly possesses £375 million in shares related to the company involved.

BBC’s Involvement and Apology

The topic surrounding the Blair family’s involvement in Digital IDs has previously posed problems for the BBC. Earlier this month, an episode of *Have I Got News For You* contained similar accusations, leading to a correction from the network. Guest host Victoria Coren Mitchell raised questions about potential beneficiaries of the ID cards, linking the scheme to a company named Multiverse.

• The claims about Multiverse being involved were quickly debunked.
• FullFact, a fact-checking organization, confirmed that Multiverse is not a software developer.
• The government has yet to announce partners for the Digital ID project.

After the erroneous claims aired, the BBC issued an apology and removed the episode from BBC iPlayer. They later reinstated it after editing the misleading segment. Mitchell issued her own correction on social media, clarifying the mistake regarding the ID card contract and emphasizing the need for scrutiny.

Response from Various Parties

Holden’s comments have prompted further discussion about the broader implications of Digital IDs. The controversy escalated after Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized their necessity during a conference in London. He noted that the implementation aligns with security needs in the UK, aiming to control illegal labor.

However, opposition has emerged from various quarters, including Nigel Farage of Reform UK, who labeled Digital IDs as “sinister.” Concerns have also been raised regarding senior citizens’ rights, as many could become “second-class citizens” without access to smartphones. Data from Age UK indicates that over 4 million older individuals do not use smartphones, raising alarm among advocacy groups.

Impact on Pensioners

• 4.3 million older people do not use smartphones.
• 1.6 million pensioners do not own a mobile phone.

Organizations like Silver Voices criticized the Digital ID initiative, arguing it disempowers older adults and may exclude them from societal participation. They called for a clearer plan on how these IDs would impact the general population.

The discussion surrounding Digital IDs continues to evolve, reflecting diverse opinions and highlighting the need for thorough public discourse.