A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to put CCTV in all of Oxford’s taxis has been put on hold over privacy fears.

Yesterday was the start date for a programme of putting CCTV to record images and audio in the city’s taxis by 2015.

But Oxford City Council has put it on hold while the Information Commissioner’s Office investigates if recording people’s conversations is a breach of privacy.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood has also told the council she is unhappy with the scheme.

Ms Blackwood, Conservative MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has also written to the Information Commissioner’s Office seeking an update on that investigation.

Executive member for city development Colin Cook said: “I’m in favour of this scheme but we are waiting for a response from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

“We think the scheme complies with the ICO’s code of practice.”

Council spokesman Louisa Dean added: “We have had an inquiry from the Information Commissioner who wishes to better understand the scheme. We are happy to assist in those enquiries.”

Ms Blackwood said: “It does seem the city council has crossed the line.

“It is an invasion of privacy and undermining of civil liberties that neither passengers nor taxi drivers themselves have welcomed.

“The ICO stated to me that recording conversations between passengers is highly intrusive and unlikely to be justified.

“CCTV plays an important role in combating crime but that has to be balanced with privacy concerns and used within common sense limits.”