Victory for Javid over ‘Beatles’ terror cell

SAJID Javid yesterday won a legal battle over sharing evidence with the US on two members of the British terror cell nicknamed ‘The Beatles’ – even though they could face the death penalty.

In a landmark case, senior judges rejected claims that the Home Secretary acted unlawfully by not seeking guarantees over the fate of Islamic State jihadists Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh if they stood trial in America. In July it was revealed that Britain had made clear it was ready to share confidential information with no such promises.

Elsheikh’s mother, Maha Elgizouli, challenged the Government’s decision in the High Court. She argued that Mr Javid had secretly abandoned UK policy of passing on intelligence for prosecutions only in cases where there is no threat of capital punishment. But Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, sitting with Mr Justice Garnham, said Mr Javid had not broken the law. He was within his rights to share with the US 600 witness statements gathered by the Metropolitan Police.

Kotey, 35, and Elsheikh, 30, are being held in Syria. They were henchmen of Mohammed Emwazi – known as Jihadi John – who beheaded Western hostages on camera. He was killed in a drone strike.