Thread by @benrileysmith

Exclusive - America is working up plans to send the Isil Beatles to Guantanamo.

They fear time is running out to secure a US prosecution and are preparing backup options instead.

Details in a quick thread...

El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey are both detained in Syria and suspected members of the notorious 'Beatles' terror cell.

That group beheaded US journalists James Foley + Steven Sotloff and British aid workers David Haines + Alan Henning.

UK and US reached an agreement where they would be prosecuted in America. Britain would share evidence but not request the pair be spared execution. Justice through the courts would be done.

But the UK's decision not to demand a death penalty assurance is being challenged in the courts by one of the men's mothers.

High Court ruled in favour of UK gov last month but an appeal to Supreme Court is being sought. No decision yet. No time frame for one either...

Meanwhile the clock is ticking in Syria. Trump is pulling US troops out. They could be gone by April.

Once they've left, the US has far less power to decide the fate of detained Isil fighters - including the Beatles.

The Beatles are among a group of around 50 detained Isil fighters who America deems to be most dangerous.

'Worst of the worst' as one well-placed US source put it to me. Another said the Beatles "have American blood on their hands”.

There are 3 backup options for this group (if their countries of origin won't prosecute).

1) Guantanamo
2) Detention by US military in Middle East
3) Detention by an ally in Middle East

The last two carry much more risk of escape than the first. Hence interest in Guantanamo.

I was told planning for sending hardcore Isil fighters to Guantanamo was extensive. There's enough room for 50+ of them.

Don't forget Trump is a fan. Here he is pledging to fill it with "bad dudes" during campaign. (He formally kept it open in Jan 2018)

Plus influential Republican senators are lobbying hard for Guantanamo. Here’s a letter Rubio, Ted Cruz and others signed addressed to Trump that references the Beatles.

But Guantanamo would be extremely problematic for Theresa May's government. We're formally opposed to the facility + have been for years.

Part of the justification for allowing the Isil Beatles to possibly be executed in America was to avoid Guantanamo.

One UK gov figure close to talks said this week that Guantanamo was “hateful” and “wrong”. Warned that sending new detainees there could even help Isil recruit more fighters.

UK remains hopeful that legal challenge will be dismissed soon and US prosecution goes ahead.

But bottom line - there is now a real chance two former British citizens will be in Guantanamo by end of the year.

*ends*

Write-up wrapped up with other reporting on Shamima Begum here: telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/1…