Scotland Yard facing criticism for trying to force journalists to hand over Shamima Begum notes

Scotland Yard is facing criticism for seeking court order forcing journalists to hand over notes from their interviews with ‘jihadi bride’ Shamima Begum

  • Lawyers for the Met will make the application under the Terrorism Act 2000  
  • Jihadi bride was interviewed by journalists in a refugee camp earlier this year 
  • The Times, Sky News and ITN are all expected to oppose the court application 

Scotland Yard faced criticism yesterday after seeking a court order forcing journalists to hand over notes from interviews with Shamima Begum.

Lawyers for the Met will make the application under the Terrorism Act 2000 to access unpublished notes made during meetings with the jihadi bride.

The 19-year-old IS recruit, who married a Dutch fighter, was interviewed by journalists in a refugee camp in northern Syria earlier this year after being tracked down by Anthony Loyd, a reporter at The Times.

The 19-year-old IS recruit, who married a Dutch fighter, was interviewed by journalists in a refugee camp in northern Syria earlier this year after being tracked down by Anthony Loyd (pictured), a reporter at The Times

The 19-year-old IS recruit (left), who married a Dutch fighter, was interviewed by journalists in a refugee camp in northern Syria earlier this year after being tracked down by Anthony Loyd (right), a reporter at The Times

Police believe Mr Loyd’s unpublished notes and those from other interviews with Begum, from Bethnal Green, east London, might contain information useful to an investigation. It comes ahead of a potential hearing after Begum’s family challenged the decision to revoke her British citizenship in the courts.

The Times, Sky News and ITN are expected to oppose the application as journalists took to Twitter to warn that the legal moves could discourage people from talking to the media, and force reporters to break agreements with interviewees.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk