Robert Brown MSP, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson, has accused the UK Government of ”a ridiculous excess of zeal” by introducing new security rules that will see ferry passengers to Scottish islands go through airport style passport checks.

In 2010 the UK Border Agency’s “e-borders” programme will be implemented in full. It will require all passengers who intend to travel to any Scottish island to provide passport identification before they travel. Crucially, these powers will be introduced in Westminster using a ‘statutory instrument’ with no parliamentary scrutiny.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“I have seldom heard anything so ridiculous. You can travel from one side of Europe to the other without needing a passport. The Labour Government, however, now want photographic ID if someone goes on the Waverley from Glasgow to Dunoon, or crosses on the ferry to Arran or Rothesay

“Requiring passengers who make essential journeys to Scottish islands to provide passport identification is sheer lunacy after more than a decade of open borders within the EU and centuries of free passage across the UK.

“What is the difference between a ferry journey between Oban and Iona and a car journey between Gretna and Carlisle? Perhaps passports will be needed to go to Inchmurrin island on Loch Lomond or to the Bass Rock.

“The Scottish Government has responsibility for Scottish waterways. I will be pressing the Justice Secretary for answers on whether he was consulted on the implementation of the e-borders programme.

“People will be annoyed by pettifogging bureaucracy like this which could well damage the tourist industry. This is the UK Government’s obsession with terrorism gone mad.”