Cabinet minister says voter ID ‘thoroughly good thing’ despite some people unable to vote

Chris Heaton-Harris insisted the “big problems” critics warned of did not materialise.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (Liam McBurney/PA) (PA Wire)

The introduction of voter ID is a “thoroughly good thing”, the Northern Ireland Secretary has said despite the Electoral Commission acknowledging some people have been unable to vote as a result of the new requirement.

Chris Heaton-Harris insisted the “big problems” critics warned of did not materialise, adding: “I think most people have just taken to it as you would expect them to”.

On Thursday, voters across England took to the polls to have their say about who runs their local communities and for the first time, it has been compulsory to show photo identification when voting.