The case caused a stir and an inevitable court battle that ended in the Supreme Court. The judges of the Supreme Court effectively ruled against Begum, concluding that she could not return to the United Kingdom to appeal the decision, leaving her in no one’s home, unable to return to Britain to fight her case. Davis avoided this fate. It is not clear why he was allowed to remain a UK citizen and the Home Office will never discuss, at least openly, specific cases out of court.
Larger case for revocation of citizenship
There is a bigger claim for Davis to revoke his British citizenship. He is a hardened fighter, even linked to Jihadi John’s executive squad, and has been convicted of terrorism. But unlike Begum and others in the camps, he was in a Turkish prison and the government in Ankara wants him released. Having spent much of his childhood in the Gambia, where his father was born, Davis has more roots in this country than Begum in Bangladesh, where he had never lived. An issue could be a threat to Davis’ human rights if sent to the Gambia. Despite reports linking Davis with the Islamic State executive, the United States seems unlikely to want to oust Davis. This could be a convenient option for the UK to take it out of our hands. Two surviving members of The Beatles – Elsheikh and Kotey – have been stripped of their British citizenship and sent to the United States for justice, and the two men have now been sentenced to beheadings and torture. The Interior Ministry agreed to provide a wealth of information to the couple to ensure prosecution. In return, the Ministry of Justice agreed to lift the death penalty in the case. U.S. prosecutors have ruled that only three members of the hostage-taking plan were considered, despite reports that Davis was involved in the core activity. This leaves Davis free to return to Britain. It will most likely be placed under the precautionary measure and investigation of terrorism, will be placed under a traffic ban and will be highlighted. But he will be free to walk the streets. Ministers will hold their breath.
