Social media reacts after decision to strip Shamima Begum of citizenship

There has been a mixed reaction on social media about the decision to strip Islamic State bride Shamima Begum of her British citizenship.

The 19 year-old, of Bethnal Green, east London, who fled the country four years ago to join IS and has just given birth to a son, has divided the country since giving interviews from a north Syrian refugee camp saying she wants to come home.

Actor, writer and broadcaster Cizen Kahn Adil Ray said she may deserve punishment but has to go through the court system if she returns to Britain.

He also suggested that “If Holland takes her…I expect they might think it’s a precedent.”

On being told that she had joined Isis and that a line was “slightly crossed”, he responded: “I agree, all I am asking for is that she is subject to an investigation and a thorough legal process. The very thing we stand for.”

They gunna let this isis bride #ShamimaBegum back in the UK, I think that’s ridiculous, You left to support terrorism, now live with it. After watching her video she doesn’t seem one bit upset and comes across so arrogant. UK isn’t your home, stop giving us all a bad name please

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) 20 February 2019

Boxer Amir Khan said she should now “live” with her decision to go abroad “to support terrorism”.

In the tweet, in which Khan does not seem to be aware of the latest move to try and block her return, he said: “They gunna let this ISIS bride #ShamimaBegum back in the UK, I think that’s ridiculous. You left to support terrorism, now live with it.

“After watching her video she doesn’t seem one bit upset and comes across so arrogant. UK isn’t your home, stop giving us all a bad name please.”

Nazir Afzal, the former chief prosecutor who has successfully prosecuted Islamists for terrorism offences, asked: “Is my citizenship conditional?”

He wrote: “I’m British, born in Birmingham to a family that has worked for the British Army in 3 continents & I have worked tirelessly to keep my fellow citizens safe. Is my citizenship conditional? When the torchbearers & pitchforks come for me, who will protect me?”

He also said online: “My View: She is OUR problem & like tons of alleged criminals WE deliver justice to them. Even extremists later protect us in deradicalising others. It’s probably illegal 100s of others have returned – where is consistency? Pres Assad’s wife still has her British citizenship.”

Here’s 22 reasons why that Isis bride should NOT be allowed back in the UK!!! #ManchesterArena #NeverForget ❤️ pic.twitter.com/npDBeuHNMB

— Gemma Atkinson (@MissGAtkinson) 18 February 2019

Presenter Gemma Atkinson had earlier tweeted photographs of the Manchester Arena bombing victims along with the words: “Here’s 22 reasons why that Isis bride should NOT be allowed back in the UK!!! #ManchesterArena #NeverForget ”

Joan Smith, co-chair of the London mayor’s Violence Against Women and Girls board, wrote: “What an ambitious & populist Home Secretary Sajid Javid is. Stripping Shamima Begum of British citizenship is a knee-jerk reaction to a complex problem. She was radicalised in this country as a child & should be dealt with here, not to mention the need to safeguard her baby.”

Radio City’s Pete Price said the following

19 year old Shamima Begum who fled to Syria age 15 to join #ISISBride will have her #BritishCitizenship REVOKED its able to happen because she is a dual National of #British and Bangladeshi Citizenship. In my opinion this is great news. GREAT NEWS pic.twitter.com/HdiwR5ydAp

— Pete Price (@PeteCityPrice) 19 February 2019

MP Joanna Cherry QC, the SNP’s Home Affairs spokesperson, said the move “may be in breach of international law, they lack mercy to an innocent child & are more about his leadership ambitions than security issues or due process”.

Danny Dyer also gave his opinion on Good Morning Britain

Danny Dyer shares his views on whether 'ISIS bride' Shamima Begum should be allowed to return to the UK.

'Maybe she needs a chance to explain what was going on.' pic.twitter.com/iUY89gHUxE

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) 18 February 2019

Liz Saville Roberts, the MP for Dwyfor Meirionydd added “If the rights of this British citizen are at the disposal of populist politicians, only one question remains:- ‘Who next?’.”

Conservative MP George Freeman tweeted: ” I’m afraid that for various reasons I think today’s decision to strip Miss #Begum of her UK citizenship is a mistake & a dangerous precedent. She was born here, educated here & is our responsibility.

“We should defend our system & she should be brought back to face the UK courts.”

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