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| British IS fighters 'must be killed', minister says | British IS fighters 'must be killed', minister says |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The "only way" to deal with British IS fighters in Syria is "in almost every case" to kill them, the minister for international development has said. | The "only way" to deal with British IS fighters in Syria is "in almost every case" to kill them, the minister for international development has said. |
| Rory Stewart said converts to so-called Islamic State believed in an "extremely hateful doctrine" and had moved away from any allegiance to Britain. | Rory Stewart said converts to so-called Islamic State believed in an "extremely hateful doctrine" and had moved away from any allegiance to Britain. |
| They can expect to be killed because of the "serious danger" they pose to the UK's security, he said. | They can expect to be killed because of the "serious danger" they pose to the UK's security, he said. |
| The government said his comments were in line with the UK's stated position. | The government said his comments were in line with the UK's stated position. |
| Mr Stewart made the remarks after Brett McGurk, a top US envoy for the coalition fighting IS, said his mission was to ensure every foreign fighter in Syria dies there. | Mr Stewart made the remarks after Brett McGurk, a top US envoy for the coalition fighting IS, said his mission was to ensure every foreign fighter in Syria dies there. |
| Asked about the comments on BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics, Mr Stewart, a former diplomat, said they were "very difficult moral issues". | Asked about the comments on BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics, Mr Stewart, a former diplomat, said they were "very difficult moral issues". |
| He said: "They are absolutely dedicated, as members of the Islamic State, towards the creation of a caliphate. | He said: "They are absolutely dedicated, as members of the Islamic State, towards the creation of a caliphate. |
| "They believe in an extremely hateful doctrine which involves killing themselves, killing others and trying to use violence and brutality to create an 8th Century, or 7th Century, state. | "They believe in an extremely hateful doctrine which involves killing themselves, killing others and trying to use violence and brutality to create an 8th Century, or 7th Century, state. |
| "So I'm afraid we have to be serious about the fact these people are a serious danger to us, and unfortunately, the only way of dealing with them will be, in almost every case, to kill them." | "So I'm afraid we have to be serious about the fact these people are a serious danger to us, and unfortunately, the only way of dealing with them will be, in almost every case, to kill them." |
| Mr Stewart's comments contrast with the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, who recently told the BBC that Britons who join IS through "naivety" should be spared prosecution if they return home. | Mr Stewart's comments contrast with the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, who recently told the BBC that Britons who join IS through "naivety" should be spared prosecution if they return home. |
| Max Hill QC said UK authorities should instead look at reintegrating such people. | Max Hill QC said UK authorities should instead look at reintegrating such people. |
| A government spokesman said Mr Stewart's remarks were consistent with the position set out by Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon on 12 October. | A government spokesman said Mr Stewart's remarks were consistent with the position set out by Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon on 12 October. |
| Sir Michael said British IS fighters in Syria and Iraq had made themselves "a legitimate target" who could end up on "the wrong end of an RAF or USAF missile". | Sir Michael said British IS fighters in Syria and Iraq had made themselves "a legitimate target" who could end up on "the wrong end of an RAF or USAF missile". |
| His comments came after it was reported that British IS recruiter Sally-Anne Jones had been killed in a US drone strike in Syria in June. | His comments came after it was reported that British IS recruiter Sally-Anne Jones had been killed in a US drone strike in Syria in June. |
| The head of MI5 revealed this month that more than 130 Britons who travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight with the terror group have died. | |
| Mr Stewart also said British authorities had made it "very clear" that people should not be volunteering with militia groups to fight against IS. | Mr Stewart also said British authorities had made it "very clear" that people should not be volunteering with militia groups to fight against IS. |
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