London, Jan.19: A junior Royal Navy officer is facing a court martial after a laptop containing the personal data of 600,000 people, including serving personnel and thousands of people who have shown an interest in a military career, was stolen from his car.

According to The Times, the laptop’s loss is considered to be so serious that Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, will make a statement to the Commons early next week.

The Ministry of Defence said last night that the data included bank account and passport details, national insurance and NHS numbers, and home addresses.

Serving members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and RAF will be the most vulnerable to potential fraud because all their details would have been included.

The laptop was stolen from the car parked in Birmingham overnight on January 9-10.

MoD sources said that laptops could be removed from an office or base only if there was signed authorisation. (ANI)