Macer Gifford

Shamima Begum is not a victim

Renu Begum, eldest sister of Shamima Begum, 15, holds her sister's photo (Image: Getty)

A dark cloud hangs over the Al Hol Camp where Shamima Begum is being held in North-Eastern Syria. She is said to be ‘angry and upset’ at the decision of the Supreme Court to not allow her to return to the UK to contest the loss of her citizenship. This bleak picture stands in stark contrast to the feelings of the vast majority of the British public that will be raising a toast to the Supreme Court and thanking them for putting their interests ahead of an ISIS terrorist. 

Ever since Shamima Begum was ‘discovered’ in a Syrian Democratic Force holding camp by the Times Journalist Anthony Lloyd, the UK has been gripped by the drama surrounding the 21 year old woman. In a very short amount of time, two competing narratives were formed by the public. Those that see Shamima, the 15 year old that left Britain in 2015, as a victim, trafficked and abused by ISIS, and those that see her as a remorseless and dangerous supporter of the ISIS death cult.

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in