by Bethany Rielly

DAVID DAVIS has warned that vaccine certificates would be a massive intrusion on ordinary lives and discriminate against communities reluctant to get the jab.  

The former Cabinet minister said proposals to introduce certificates currently being considered by the government would “create a permanent solution for a temporary problem.”

Mr Davis made the comments today while giving evidence at the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, which is carrying out an inquiry into the proposals. 

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to launch a separate review into the issue after some companies began looking into the use of smartphone apps that would require proof of the jab before entering venues. 

Mr Davis told MPs that firms which decide to do this would likely face legal action on discrimination grounds. “Under the law, it would be indirectly discriminatory, and that is illegal.

“You may well find, it has been said, that black and ethnic-minority communities are less inclined to get vaccinated: well, that would be indirect discrimination.”

Mr Davis added there are a “variety of good reasons” behind reluctance to get the jabs, including “ethical or religious objections.”

The Tory MP, who campaigned in the 2000s against ID cards, suggested that the move was being pushed by officials in Whitehall who “love the concept of having control over this data.” 

He said the plans would bring a centuries-long ban on “allowing the state to demand that we provide our papers” to an end. “Such a major deviation from our historic approach …  would be a massive incursion on peoples’ lives.”

However, Mr Davis said he did support vaccine passports, claiming overseas travel is not a human right.

Big Brother Watch director Silkie Carlo, who also gave evidence, disagreed, claiming the introduction of conditions on travel would also throw up “significant rights problems.”