Labour law chief slams air strikes to kill UK jihadis

A LABOUR frontbencher yesterday attacked the idea of using drone strikes to kill British jihadis overseas as ‘appalling’.

Shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti hit out at Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who has said UK nationals who joined IS were legitimate targets.

But Baroness Chakrabarti, one of Jeremy Corbyn’s closest allies, said they were criminals who should be prosecuted.

Speaking on Sky News’ Niall Paterson on Sunday, she said: ‘If he is suggesting targeted assassinations of criminals who should instead be brought to justice, that is appalling.’

Her comments came after Mr Williamson’s remarks caused a storm last week. The former chief whip, who became Defence Secretary last month, said no IS Britons should be allowed home. He added: ‘We should do everything we can do to destroy and eliminate that threat.’

Mr Williamson yesterday tried to cool speculation he wanted to be the next Tory leader, saying: ‘I’ve got no interest in being PM. I want to be a brilliant Secretary of State for Defence.’