The launch of the design for the new national identity card has sparked a political row after it was revealed the cards will not feature the Union flag.
The flag has been left off because of fears it could upset nationalists in Northern Ireland.
Instead the cards carry the Royal Coat of Arms and embossed emblems of the thistle, the rose, the shamrock and the daffodil to represent the four parts of the UK.
Unionists said the decision not to have the flag on the card was a "giant mistake".
DUP assembly member Ian Paisley Jnr said the move was a "giant mistake" that "ruined the whole concept of a National Identity Card".
He said: "I can't imagine anyone would want to possess a so-called National Identity Card if it expunges and removes the symbol of our national unity, which of course is the Union flag.
"With this giant mistake, the Government have ruined the whole concept of a National Identity Card. I would not encourage anyone to apply for one if it doesn't have the flag on it."
Home Secretary Alan Johnson launched the cards at St Pancras railway station in London before travelling to Manchester where the cards will be rolled out later this year.
He said they would provide people with a "safe and secure" way of proving their identity and help combat identity fraud, and enable the holder to travel to Europe without their passport.
"The identity card is a safe, secure and simple way for people to protect and prove their identity and to travel around Europe but leave their passport at home."
