"Reports broke today of the death of Sally-Anne Jones – more commonly referred to as the “White Widow” – and possibly the death of her 12-year-old son too, in a US drone attack. Among other things, Jones was renowned for her efforts to recruit Western women to Isis, once declaring herself as the head of “a battalion of jihadist women”. She was one of many caught up in religion and ideology who often pay a high price – and who may well have condemned her son to paying the ultimate price as well."
Douglas Robertson, The Independent
'‘Cannot confirm the death of ISIS propagandist Sally Jones as a result of a Coalition Strike. Combined Joint Task Force pursues ISIS, regardless of origin.”
Army Colonel Ryan Dillon, Spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), on Twitter
“I think we have to look at very carefully the effects on the civilian population of any bombing that takes place before such a decision is made… I think that people who have committed crimes ought to be put on trial. That way of course when you interrogate someone you get more information about the background to it.” Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Party Leader
“Protecting this country is the first duty of a Prime Minister. Corbyn’s continued refusal to back drone strikes on terrorists who are actively plotting murder on our streets shows he is simply not fit to lead or keep us safe.”
Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon
“Conservative smears didn’t work in the general election and they won’t work now. As he has said repeatedly, as Prime Minister, Jeremy will do everything necessary and effective to keep our people safe.”
Labour spokesperson
“In some other homes around the land, there is a different reaction. And it is one of collective relief. It is coming from the British Muslim women who feared that their own teenage daughters might come under the spell of the White Widow as she targeted them with tales of utopia, far away from the Islamophobia that girls in hijab regularly face.”
Sufiya Ahmed, Independent
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