"How can we have confidence that the HMRC online tax return system is safe to use?"

SpyBlog have the details of fraud being perpetrated on the Government Gateway:

"Where is the assurance that it is now safe and secure to file your income tax self assessment forms online ?

There needs to be a public statement by the Minister responsible, i.e. by Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling,

It is no good making the usual sort of meaningless "we are taking this Extremely Seriously" type of statement, given the department's appalling record of data security mismanagement, and the suspicion bordering on hatred, which many people now have for this Government.

If the security vulnerabilities have not already been dealt with, and independently tested, then Alistair Darling should resign, and the senior civil servants at Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. should be sacked.

If everything has been sorted out properly, then why not say so immediately, with proof that the appropriate actions have been taken ?"