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David Cameron: ISIS fighters are an 'enemy of the UK'

October 1, 2014 at 3:00 pm

British Prime Minister David Cameron told the Conservative Party Conference today that terrorism has found a new “crucible” in Iraq and Syria in the form of the Islamic State (ISIS). These people are “evil”, he told delegates.

The Conservatives “will do whatever it takes to keep this country safe,” he said, which is why Britain has joined a range of countries from the region to target ISIS bases in Iraq.

Addressing those who join ISIS in Syria but have been brought up in Britain, he said: “You are an enemy of the UK and you should expect to be treated as such.” Measures against them could include removing suspects’ passports, preventing them from re-entering the country and prosecuting them.

In terms of the Middle East, ISIS has been the focus of this year’s party conference. In his speech today Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond reiterated that the first duty of government is securing the UK from external threats.

“We cannot turn our backs on the world. When our values are threatened, we must have the confidence to stand firm,” he insisted.

ISIS are a threat to millions of people in the Middle East as well as us at home, the foreign secretary insisted, reminding the conference that Britain is one of the world’s major military powers and should not stand by as other players confronted ISIS.

“Let us salute the armed forces who are putting themselves in harm’s way in the interest of the nation. ISIS must and can be driven out of Iraq so we are backing the coalition’s strikes.”

Yesterday Home Secretary Theresa May outlined the party’s tough, counter-terrorism strategy. Thanks to a Counter-Terrorism Bill set to be introduced in November, police will have more powers to seize passports, prevent travel and give themselves more time to investigate those they suspect are fighting with ISIS.