The newborn son of Shamima Begum has died in Syria, after being rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties.

The baby, Jarrah, who was less than three weeks old, was taken to the hospital from the camp where Miss Begum has been living since leaving Isil territory, but could not be saved.

Tasnime Akunjee, the Begum family’s lawyer, cited “strong but unconfirmed reports” that the baby had died and after several hours of conflicting reports, the Syrian Defence Forces, a Kurdish-led alliance, eventually confirmed his death.

The development is likely to cause further political fallout following fierce debate about Miss Begum’s status and the rights of her baby.

The 19-year-old has begged to be allowed to return home for her son’s own safety and wellbeing. She had already lost two young children, a girl and a boy aged 18 months and nine months respectively. One died in November and the other in January, from illness and malnutrition.