Computer-stored British prison data lost

LONDON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Computer-stored information on thousands of British prisoners has been reported lost, touching off a political firestorm.

The government says details of 84,000 prisoners in England and Wales were lost by PA Consulting, a private firm using the data in a research project tracking offenders through the criminal justice system, the BBC reported.

Additionally, some 33,000 records from the national police computer were missing.

The Home Office has opened an investigation.

Meanwhile, political charges flew with opposition Conservatives charging ministers with a "massive failure of duty," the BBC said.

Government departments were ordered to tighten security procedures after the loss last year of two discs containing personal details of child benefit claimants.