UK halts cooperation with US over IS suspects

Britain has suspended cooperation with the United States over two Islamic State terror suspects, the government announced today, following concerns that they could face the death penalty.

Britain said Monday it was sharing intelligence to help the United States bring to trial two fighters captured in Syria, who were part of a group of British jihadists nicknamed the "Beatles".

But Home Secretary Sajid Javid, the interior minister, faced intense criticism after agreeing to share intelligence without seeking assurances the men would not face execution if they were extradited.

The Home Office said it had agreed to a "short-term pause" of the mutual legal assistance process with the US over Alexanda Amon Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh after a request from lawyers acting for one of the men.

"We received a request from the legal representative of the family of one of the suspects to pause the MLA response," a spokesman said.

"We have agreed to a short-term pause. The government remains committed to bringing these people to justice and we are confident we have acted in full accordance of the law and within the government's longstanding MLA policy."