NOT so long ago treason was punishable by death.
In my view, the behaviour of those of our citizens who travel to Syria and Iraq to fight for ISIL is akin to treason, and certainly so if they return to take up arms against us here in the UK.
We are all too aware of what they can do.
This year alone, we have seen attacks on Westminster Bridge, Manchester, London Bridge and Parson’s Green.
Now, about 8,000 of these hardened militants, many of whom have committed unspeakable atrocities, are heading home to Europe, according to the EU Security Commissioner.
Let’s not forget that it’s estimated that 850 have already returned to the UK.
This week, Max Hill QC, independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, caused an outcry when he said that ‘naïve’ young people, ‘brainwashed’ into travelling to support ISIL, should be allowed to come home and reintegrate.
In his defence, he also said they should face prosecution if there was evidence of criminal offences.
No one would disagree with that, but for those fighting in the field the penalty must be more severe, as Major General Rupert Jones, senior British commander in the joint task force which liberated Raqqa, has said.
“If you go to fight for an illegal organisation seeking to inspire or direct attacks against our homeland, you are a legitimate target and you should expect to be killed.”
My parliamentary colleague Rory Stewart, a former diplomat in Iraq, agrees, describing ISIL’s “hateful doctrine” and saying: “These people are a serious danger to us and unfortunately the only way of dealing with them will be, in almost every case, to kill them.”
Finally, it’s worth noting that MI5 is currently pursuing 500 live investigations into 3,000 people suspected of extremist activity.