Concerns have been raised over proposals to introduce passenger fingerprinting at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

The plans will help the airport to step up security and prevent potential terrorists from exploiting the flight connection system to escape immigration checks, according to operator BAA.

However, a number of experts have criticised the scheme, with former BAA security head Norman Shanks telling BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme that the current system of photograph identification was sufficient.

"I am not aware of any problems that have arisen from people having their photographs taken and from the image not being identified correctly at the boarding gate," he said.

He added that there is unlikely to be any checks of fingerprints against an international list as BAA would not be able to access such a database, due to its company status.

Deputy information commissioner David Smith told the Mail on Sunday that the Information Commissioner's Office needs to hear BAA's case for introducing fingerprinting, as such a proposal could be seen as "intrusive".

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