13 November 2014 Last updated at17:01 ET

Exclusion order plan to target jihadists returning to UK

By Dominic Casciani Home affairs correspondent, BBC News

British jihadists such as Aine Davis (left) - named in court as fighting in Syria - could face tough controls if they return to the UK

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British jihadists who fight abroad could be prevented from returning home under powers to be outlined by the PM.

David Cameron is due to announce special exclusion orders which would ban suspected fighters entering the UK unless they comply with investigation.

The controversial measure is at the heart of a planned counter-terrorism bill Mr Cameron mooted in September.

“We have to deal with the threat of foreign fighters planning attacks against our people”
Prime Minister David Cameron

Some legal experts and ex-ministers have questioned whether the UK can ban its own citizens from returning home.

The plan to create Temporary Exclusion Orders comes after coalition talks, following the prime minister's announcement in September of new counter-terrorism proposals.

Under the unique powers, British citizens suspected of fighting with Islamic State militants would be stopped from re-entering the country unless they gave themselves up at the border.

Each suspect would have their passport cancelled and their name would be added to a "no-fly list" that would prevent them departing for the UK.



At the same time, each suspect would be allowed to return only if they agreed to be escorted by the police before facing either prosecution or close supervision under monitoring powers.

The exclusion orders would last for up to two years at a time and could be renewed. Breaches could lead to prison.

Government officials have told the BBC that the powers were designed to either stop suspects coming back - or only coming home on the UK's terms.

"We are not taking away their citizenship," said one official. "We are putting conditions on their ability to travel.

"This would significantly strengthen our armoury and would be among the toughest in the world in terms of cracking down on foreign fighters."

Mr Cameron is due to give more details on Friday when he addresses the Australian parliament.

Under Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Australia passed its own counter-terror bill last month

Mr Cameron, who is in the country to attend the G20 summit, is expected to tell Australian MPs: "We have to deal with the threat of foreign fighters planning attacks against our people. Your prime minister has given a strong international lead on this, helping to galvanise the UN Security Council with a powerful address.

"Last month this parliament passed new legislation to tackle foreign fighters. And we will shortly be introducing our own new Counter-Terrorism Bill in the UK.

"New powers for police at ports to seize passports, to stop suspects travelling and to stop British nationals returning to the UK unless they do so on our terms, new rules to prevent airlines that don't comply with our no-fly lists or security screening measures from landing in the UK."

If the legislation is passed, police and some border officers will be given the power to seize passports if they have reasonable suspicion that someone is travelling abroad for terror-related activity - including those under the age of 18.

The document could be held for 30 days, subject to a magistrate's review.

Airlines could be fined if they do not comply with the UK's requirement to screen passengers and stop suspects from boarding planes.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-30041923