Letters | 13 December 2017

Returning jihadis

Sir: Coping with those who pose a terrorist threat to the UK but cannot be prosecuted for a criminal offence has been a perennial problem since 9/11 (‘Bring jihadis to justice’, 9 December). Despite various initiatives, the number of potential attackers has continued to grow.

The latest twist to this story is the return of jihadists to the UK from Syria and Iraq. We should assume that anyone returning from Isis-held territory in Syria/Iraq poses a continuing risk. Wherever possible they should be prosecuted. But criminal cases are hard to build, given the fog of war and the problems of gathering evidence from Isis-controlled territory. I propose, therefore, that those who claim to have repented of their extremist views and who want to return to the UK should be expected to demonstrate their change of heart by giving a full and detailed intelligence debrief to the security services, and by giving evidence in court against their erstwhile colleagues in Isis.
Jonathan Evans

House of Lords, London SW1

Gunning for no deal

Sir: Martin Vander Weyer (Any Other Business, 25 Nov) said it was ‘fatuous’ of me to state that Wetherspoon was ready to leave the EU now, in response to a BBC question about ‘complex supply chains in the car industry’. In fact, catering supply chains are of similar complexity to the car industry. Leaving the EU in March 2019 would allow parliament to eliminate tariffs on non-EU food imports which, WTO rules stipulate, would result in continued tariff-free imports from the EU — and cheaper food. In contrast, the proposed ‘transitional deal’ would maintain tariffs and require multi-billion-pound payments to the EU.

The CBI and big business have misled the public about food prices and supply chain difficulties, a pitch has been accepted by credulous economists, journalists and MPs. In reality, it will enormously benefit the UK to leave the EU, without a deal, at the earliest opportunity.