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Isis Recruit 'Jihadi Jack' Has Been Stripped Of His British Citizenship

Isis Recruit 'Jihadi Jack' Has Been Stripped Of His British Citizenship

He was jailed while attempting to flee to Turkey in 2017

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

The Muslim convert who joined Isis known as 'Jihadi Jack' has been stripped of his UK citizenship, it has been reported.

Jack Letts, from Oxfordshire, was an 18-year-old when he left his A-levels behind to join fighters in Raqqa, Syria, in 2014. He was subsequently jailed in 2017 after being captured by Kurdish YPG forces while attempting to flee to Turkey.

'Jihadi Jack' has reportedly been stripped of his citizenship.
BBC

He went on to plead to be allowed back to the UK, however, the Daily Mail reports that one of the last decisions of Theresa May's government was to strip Letts of his citizenship. The decision means his fate is now the responsibility of Canada, as he previously held dual UK and Canadian citizenship.

A Home Office spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases, but added: "Decisions on depriving a dual national of citizenship are based on substantial advice from officials, lawyers and the intelligence agencies and all available information.

"This power is one way we can counter the terrorist threat posed by some of the most dangerous individuals and keep our country safe."

Reflecting on his decision to join Isis, Letts told the BBC he thought he was leaving for something better.

He said: "I know I was definitely an enemy of Britain. I thought I was leaving something behind and going to something better."

Earlier this year, Letts reaffirmed his desire to return to the UK, but acknowledged it was unlikely to happen.

Speaking to ITV, he said: "I'm not going to say I'm innocent. I'm not innocent. I deserve what comes to me. But I just want it to be... appropriate... not just haphazard, freestyle punishment in Syria."

Parents John Letts and Sally Lane were convicted of funding terrorism in June after sending their son £223 ($271) and were sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

John Letts and Sally Lane were convicted of funding terrorism in June.
PA

In an interview following their conviction, the parents said: "Jack is still a British citizen and we have pleaded with the government to help us to bring him to safety, even if that meant that he might be prosecuted in the UK. If there is evidence he has committed a crime then he should be tried."

When asked by Channel 4 whether they would send Letts the money again in the same circumstances, the parents said 'of course' - reaffirming their argument that the money was intended to fund Letts' escape from Syria.

John said: "You never give up on your child, well I'm not going to, other people might have done more easily and accept just because a newspaper says they're naughty, or that they're horrible, you just going to say 'oh well that must be true'? No you don't."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: uk news