A former head of the British army has said Donald Trump is right to say British Islamic State fighters held in Syria should be brought back to the UK because they are the UK’s responsibility.
Gen Lord Dannatt said it was important they are seen to be treated fairly to help prevent others being radicalised and to set an example to the rest of the world.
He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “Usually I disagree with Donald Trump, but on this occasion I think he’s right.
“If there are … a large number of foreign fighters in captivity in Syria who originate from countries like the UK, then they are our citizens and we have a responsibility to act responsibly towards them. That means they have got to come back to this country.”
The issue arose after Trump asked his European allies to “take back over 800” Islamic State fighters captured in Syria and put them on trial. “The Caliphate is ready to fall,” the US president tweeted. “The alternative is not a good one in that we will be forced to release them.”