Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has left British soldiers open to prosecution by saying that they should hunt down Isis fighters.

Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Menzies Campbell QC said:

“The Defence Secretary’s comments are ill-considered and appear to endorse a clear breach of humanitarian law.

“In present circumstances it is not difficult to see that any member of the military that followed his advice could be subjected to court martial and prosecution.

“The gung-ho opinions that he has expressed undermine the credibility of British armed forces in general and his office in particular.”

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Ed Davey MP added:

“This demonstrates the defence secretary’s naivety and inexperience. A blanket ‘elimination’ approach will leave us with zero understanding of why these people have decided to go and fight for the most evil group we have seen in modern times, and with zero intelligence.

“In order to defeat the threat we face from ISIS we must find these people and prosecute them wherever possible. Talking tough alone will get us nowhere”.