Shamima Begum`s £10 Million Security Bill Sparks Fury among UK Taxpayers

The British taxpayer could be forced to foot a £10 (€12) million security bill if Shamima Begum is allowed to return to the UK, it has been claimed.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal ruled that Begum, who travelled to Syria to join ISIS – will be allowed back into the UK to mount a “fair and effective appeal” against the decision to strip her of British citizenship.

The ISIS bride would then need to be monitored round the clock by police officers and security guards while awaiting trial. The cost of accomodating her alone could reach £70,000, and there would be extra costs to pay if Begum is put on a Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measure.

Dr. Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, claims the bill could reach £10 million over the 20-year-old’s lifetime. He said: “It beggars belief that the taxpayer will likely have to fund a lifetime bill for Shamima Begum, this money, that could reach £10million, would be better spent on the real victims of terrorism in the UK.”

Begum came under fire on social media:

It comes as Boris Johnson said on Sunday that ministers are looking at changing the legal aid eligibility rules after the Court of Appeal ruling.

Mr Johnson said: “It seems to me to be at least odd and perverse that somebody can be entitled to legal aid when they are not only outside the country but have had their citizenship deprived for the protection of national security. That, amongst other things, we will be looking at.”

Begum, now 20, travelled to Syria in February 2015 and lived under IS rule for more than three years before she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February last year. Then-home secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship on national security grounds later that month.

Begum took legal action against the Home Office, claiming the decision was unlawful because it rendered her stateless and exposed her to a real risk of death or inhuman and degrading treatment. The Home Office spokeswoman said it would be applying for permission to appeal against the court’s judgment.

Do you think Shamima Begum should be allowed back to the UK in the first place and do you think UK taxpayers should pay the bill? Let us know.