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Senior figures from the Muslim community in Bethnal Green, where Islamic State bride Shamima Begum grew up, have come out in support of the Home Secretary’s decision to strip her of her British citizenship.

The 19-year-old, who fled east London to join IS in Syria in 2015, recently gave birth to a baby boy and has said she now wants to return to the UK in order to take care of him.

But earlier this week it was revealed she had been stripped of her British citizenship.

Following that decision she asked for “mercy” from British politicians and said she is “willing to change” in an interview with Sky News.

However her former neighbours expressed doubts that she will abandon her extremism.

Moulana Abdul Malik, 51, imam at the Baitul Aman mosque near where Begum grew up, told The Times: "It might not really be in her heart.

"People who are brainwashed may not have changed their habits - those who go to extremism will not change.

"We think the decision taken by the Home Office was correct. I'm worried if Shamima Begum does return, she might influence people. It would be dangerous for other young people."

Home Secretary Sajid Javid took the decision to strip Begum of her citizenship but insisted she will not be left “stateless” - something which is banned under international law.

His decision is understood to be based on the grounds that she also qualifies for Bangladeshi nationality through her parents, even though she has never been to the country.

Bangladesh has insisted she is not one of its citizens and that it does not want her.

A long legal battle is expected before the courts decide whether Mr Javid acted lawfully in removing her citizenship.

Ms Begum had initially asked to return to the UK to give birth to the child, having lost two children while living with Islamic State.

She has previously told Sky News she was "okay" with beheadings by IS and claimed in another interview that the Manchester Arena terror attack was "retaliation" for bombings in Syria.

Asked if she had reflected on her remarks this week, she replied: "No not really, because I have busy with my son, he is sick, I can't do much for him."