The Home Office's consultation on its ID card proposals has closed amid complaints from privacy campaigners the Government has broken its own rules in canvassing opinion.
Human rights group Privacy International has lodged a complaint about the consultation process with the Parliamentary Ombudsman.
It has asked the Government to extend the consultation period until the investigation has been completed.
An open letter to the Prime Minister, signed by business, welfare and political groups, including Privacy International, also alleged a breach of the code.
It said: "The Home Secretary launched the consultation in July, foreshadowing a full and comprehensive public debate that would lead to an outcome based on 'the assessed will of the people of the United Kingdom'.
"Six months later, this necessary communitywide debate has not occurred. The public at large have not been engaged in the debate."
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