Shamima Begum has issued a plea to the UK government for “mercy” after the home secretary moved to strip her of her British nationality.

The British-born 19-year-old, who travelled from east London to Syria to join Islamic State in 2015, wants to return because her newborn son is unwell and she does not want him to return to the UK alone.

Some of the controversial statements she has made to the press since being discovered by a Times journalist in a Syrian refugee camp have drawn harsh criticism from members of the public. But many still believe she should be tried in the UK.