Families of jihadists killed by RAF could sue for huge payouts
FAMILIES of the two British jihadists killed in an RAF drone strike in Syria may be in line for huge compensation handouts, it was feared last night.
The grieving parents of Reyaad Khan and Rahul Amin could have grounds to sue the Government over the attack, former attorney general Dominic Grieve said.
Speaking after David Cameron announced that the pair were killed in a “precision strike”, the Tory MP warned that the door to compensation claims could be opened by human rights lawyers.
However, the spectre of the terrorists’ deaths leading to multi- million pound payouts provoked outrage.
Ukip MEP Gerard Batten said: “The human rights industry is going to have a field day with this. But under no circumstances should compensation be paid to any of these men’s families by the British state.
Retaliation
“Britons who go to fight for Islamic State, a despicable terrorist organisation, have to expect retaliation.
“It is good that the British military are able to strike back at people making war on us in our own country.”
Khan, 21, of Cardiff, and 26- year- old Amin, of Aberdeen, had become recruiting poster boys for IS since they joined the militants two years ago.
The pair used social media to boast about their sick exploits, including beheadings, and encourage other recruits to join them.
They were killed on August 21 in the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqah by an RAF drone.
The remote- controlled raid was authorised several months ago but without the knowledge or approval of Parliament.
It was the first time a British military “asset” has been used in a country the UK is not at war with, Downing Street has said. Announcing the two deaths to MPs, David Cameron said a lethal attack was needed because Khan had been planning a terror attack at one of the UK’s wartime commemorative events over the summer.
Mr Cameron also revealed a third Briton fighting for IS, Junaid Hussain, 21, from Birmingham, was killed by a US drone strike.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who authorised the strike on Khan and Amin, called it a “perfectly legal act of self defence”.
Khan’s family are demanding the Government reveal the evidence and legal advice it had to justify killing the pair
His mother Rukia, 41, and father Nazim, 46, are said to be “sick with grief”. They were told of his death 10 days ago but only learned of the UK’s involvement on Monday.