Javid: We will not risk troops to rescue jihadi Britons
NO British troops would be used to rescue any Britons who travelled to Syria to support terrorism, the Home Secretary has said.
Sajid Javid told MPS more than
100 dual nationals had already lost their UK citizenship as he replied to an urgent question in the Commons, which emerged in light of the case of Shamima Begum – who fled the UK to join terror group Islamic State in Syria.
He said: “Certainly anyone that went to support terrorism in any way whatsoever, we are not going to risk the lives of any British officials – soldiers or anyone – to help them or rescue them.”
Mr Javid said more than 900 people went to Syria or Iraq, adding: “Whatever role they took in the so-called caliphate, they all supported a terrorist organisation and in doing so they have shown they hate our country and the values we stand for.”
He went on: “Now this so-called caliphate is crumbling, some of them want to return and I have been very clear where I can and where any threat remains I will not hesitate to prevent this.
“The powers available to me include banning non-british people from this country and stripping dangerous dual nationals of their British citizenship. Over 100 people have already been deprived in this way.
“But we must, of course, observe international law and we cannot do this if it would leave someone stateless - so where individuals do manage to return they will be questioned, investigated and potentially prosecuted.”
Tory former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell said: “It’s important that these people are not left stateless in ungoverned spaces floating around or consorting with those of ill-intention.
“Will he confirm that we have to take the responsibility for dealing with these people and we cannot just close our eyes and pull up the drawbridge?”
Mr Javid replied: “Of course it’s very important that we take responsibility to do what we can to reduce this risk both to Britain and to our people, but also we work with our allies to reduce the risk to them as well.”
He went on: “The House will have seen the comments of Shamima Begum... Quite simply, if you back terror, there must be consequences.”