AFP never heard from Nettleton

AUSTRALIAN Federal Police have revealed that they have never heard from the Australian mother- in- law or wife of terrorist Khaled Sharrouf.

They confirmed that Karen Nettleton ( pictured), who is campaigning to bring home her daughter and grandchildren from Syria, had never spoken to an officer about securing their return.

The revelations raise questions about the claims aired on the ABC last night, that Mrs Nettleton had regularly spoken to the AFP about bringing home her daughter Tara and three grandchildren, including the child who was pictured holding a severed head.

The AFP confirmed Tara Nettleton also had not contacted them. Mrs Nettleton has further alleged the AFP had told her they would help but had then rescinded the offer.

But the AFP’s counter- terrorism chief Neil Gaughan has confirmed no one from the family had ever directly contacted the AFP and the AFP had not spoken with them.

“The AFP has had no contact at all with Karen or Tara Nettleton,” he said, following inquiries to verify the claims made by the terrorist’s mother- in- law.

He said there had been some contact with a lawyer claiming to act for the family

“But that’s it,” he said. The lawyer did not return calls.

Assistant Commissioner Gaughan said it would be impossible for the AFP to help anyone in Syria as it was a war zone and there was no effective police force there with which it could co- operate.