A Labour MP has not ruled out the Government allowing Shamima Begum to return to the UK to "face justice" but admitted he would prefer her to be prosecuted in Syria.
Speaking on GB News, Peter Swallows addressed the controversial case of Begum, who left Britain as a teenager to join Isis in 2015.
Swallows described prosecution in Syria as "the logical, practical solution" for Begum's case, and claimed that her returning to Britain is "not the Government's view".
A debate has been sparked over whether Begum should return to the UK following a new report, which found that over 400 Isis jihadis have returned to the UK and have avoided facing justice.
Peter Swallows MP has refused to rule out a possible UK return to 'face justice'
GB News / Getty
Swallows highlighted the importance of accountability for Isis members, particularly regarding atrocities committed in Syria.
"The Human Rights Committee has been following this so closely because of the genocide that we saw happening in Syria, with Daesh fighters killing over 5,000 Yazidi minorities," he told GB News.
"It is really important that they are held accountable for that," he added.
The Labour MP was critical of the previous Government's handling of Isis members who returned to Britain.
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Shamima Begum travelled to Syria from London in February 2015Getty"These 400 Isis members who are over here, that happened on the previous government's watch, and we have seen only about 10 per cent of them being prosecuted for terrorist offences. It isn't good enough," Swallows said.
Swallows referenced a report by the Human Rights Committee that examined Government powers regarding citizenship.
"This report looks into that issue [of Isis fighters from the UK], looked at the power that Government does have to cancel citizenship," he explained.
He acknowledged the significance of such powers, stating they "should only be used in the right circumstances, and there should be scrutiny."
Swallows told GB News that it is 'not the Government's view' that Begum should return to the UK
GB News
Addressing Begum's specific case, Swallows stated: "[Shamima Begum] should face justice, whether that is in Syria, which for me, that is the logical, practical solution."
He emphasised the importance of prosecuting terrorists wherever they are located.
"[Returning Begum to the UK] is not the Government's view. That's not the Prime Minister's view," he clarified.
"This report is looking into how we can make sure that we can prosecute those offenders," he told GB News.
A Government spokesman has said: "The Government's priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK, and we are committed to achieving accountability for all victims of Daesha's crimes. We will consider the findings of this report."
