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Time to attack the “head of the snake” in fight against IS, says David Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron
Prime Minister David Cameron

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson has said the true mark of the UK’s humanity will be the welcome received by refugees fleeing terrorism.

The Moray MP also insisted the long-term solution for Syria involved an end to the civil war, and support for the Kurds fighting so-called Islamic State (IS) on the ground.

He made the remarks as David Cameron reiterated the case for Britain attacking the “head of the snake”.

Angus Robertson
Angus Robertson

In a statement to the Commons, the prime minister told MPs he would set out a “comprehensive strategy” for dealing with the threat – including extending RAF air strikes into Syria.

Responding, Mr Robertson praised the work of the security services and welcomed the increase in resources, as well as the apparent “momentum” building around talks to secure a Syrian ceasefire.

He also noted the arrival of Syrian refugees in Glasgow, adding: “These are people who have been fleeing terrorism at home.

“Do you agree that the welcome we give to these refugees is the true mark of humanity, of decency and of compassion?

“In short, the complete opposite to which was visited on Paris by terrorists last Friday?”

Mr Cameron agreed there was momentum behind the talks on Syria’s future and said some support for the Kurds could be provided from the air.

He praised Glasgow’s response in welcoming refugees and said he is “confident” that 1,000 Syrians would arrive in the UK by Christmas.

“I’m confident they will be well looked after,” he added.

The prime minister said the Paris terror attacks had strengthened the case for tackling IS on its home ground.

As an “important first step”, he added, he would be setting out the case for doing so in a personal response to the recent report by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.

“It is in Syria, in Raqqa, that Isil has its headquarters and it is from Raqqa that some of the main threats against this country are planned and orchestrated. Raqqa, if you like, is the head of the snake,” he said.

“We face a direct and growing threat to our country and we need to deal with it not just in Iraq but in Syria too. Our allies are asking us to do this and the case for doing so has only grown stronger after the Paris attacks.

“We should not expect others to carry the burdens and the risks of protecting our country.”