Border security

UK Border Guards “Powerless” To Stop Returning Jihadists

According to an anonymous whistleblower, British border guards are “virtually powerless to stop and detain” returning jihadists fighters, Britain’s Telegraph reports.

UK Border Force officers have “zero discretion” to apprehend or question returning travellers if they hold a British passport and haven’t been “flagged” by security forces. This means that the officers tasked with protecting Britain’s border have practically no authority to protect the country from “cleanskin” jihadists who haven’t previously come in contact with authorities.

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, British immigration officers have the authority to “stop, question and detain” anyone who they think could be “concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.” Unfortunately, these authorities have never been actually granted to Border Force agents.

The whistleblower called it a “glaring omission” that officers are prevented from exercising the powers granted to them.