A woman from Cornwall is bracing for a potential backlash from her employer after she refused to submit her passport details to create a digital ID for her job.
The Request That Sparked a Stand
Leash Buck, who works remotely, explained that her organisation was changing the provider it uses for mandatory right to work checks. She received a link from HR to sign up with the new screening company. After filling in initial details, she was contacted and asked to provide her passport information along with a selfie of her holding the document to verify her biometrics.
"I had to very politely decline," Leash stated in a TikTok video. "A lot of people are declining because it's not a legal requirement." She insisted the company go back to her employer and conduct the check manually, suggesting they verify her passport in person, despite the logistical challenge of her remote work arrangement.
HR Reaction and Wider Concerns
After her refusal, Leash proactively logged into her work laptop to inform her HR department. She reported that they were "not particularly happy" with her decision. "I'm sure it's not the last I have heard of it," she added, acknowledging the likely fallout.
Her stance resonated with many on social media, where users expressed fears that workplace digital ID schemes are a precursor to a national rollout. One user claimed they were given "no choice" by their company, while another praised Leash: "Well done, stand your ground that's the only way we can stop this digital madness." A third, identifying as a civil servant and soldier, said they expected to be dismissed if such a mandate was introduced.
The Political Backdrop of Digital ID
This personal dispute unfolds against a contentious national debate. In September 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled plans for a new digital ID scheme accessible to all UK citizens and legal residents. He argued it would secure borders and offer citizens a swift way to prove their identity.
However, the proposal has faced fierce opposition. A petition demanding the plan be scrapped garnered 2.9 million signatures, and it has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Leash's individual act of defiance mirrors this broader public scepticism, highlighting the tension between technological convenience, workplace privacy, and personal liberty.
