A British fanatic killed by an RAF drone was plotting an atrocity at an event attended by the Queen.

David Cameron stunned MPs yesterday by revealing the UK had used military force in Syria without parliamentary authority and against a Briton.

‘There was a terrorist directing murder on our streets and no other means to stop him,’ said the Prime Minister.

A second Islamic State fanatic from Britain, Ruhul Amin, died with the main target, Reyaad Khan, in the secret operation on August 21.

A third, Junaid Hussain, was killed three days later by a US drone in a joint operation with the UK.

Stephen Marvin, a former school friend of Amin, said he deserved his fate. ‘It’s hard to say he didn’t get what he deserved in the end,’ he told ITV News. ‘He was my childhood best friend but he was a totally different person in the last 12 to 18 months so it was hard to sympathise with him.’

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Reyaad Khan, 21, from Cardiff, (left) and Ruhul Amin, from Aberdeen, (right) appeared together in an ISIS recruitment video last year aimed at luring jihadists to Syria and Iraq

Reyaad Khan, 21, from Cardiff, was killed in response to a 'direct threat' to the British people, the Prime Minister said. Ruhul Amin, from Aberdeen, was also killed in the attack on August 21

The revelation that Khan, 21, from Cardiff, had been assassinated in the first RAF drone strike against a Briton triggered claims of extra-judicial killing.

But Mr Cameron insisted the attacks were an act of self-defence and not a softening-up exercise to persuade Parliament to vote for further military action against Islamic State targets in Syria.

Some of the IS plots had been foiled while others were still active, he added.

Asked if he would do it again, the Prime Minister told MPs: ‘If it is necessary to safeguard the UK and act in self-defence, and there are no other ways of doing it, then yes, I would. The choice we were left with was to think, this is all too difficult, throw up our arms and walk away, and then wait for the chaos and terrorism to hit Britain, or to take action in the national interest.’

He said Khan and Hussain were orchestrating attacks on ‘high-profile public commemorations’ over the summer from the IS stronghold of Raqqah.

Targets included VJ Day last month and the VE day commemorations of May 8. The commemorations were attended by scores of war veterans and dignitaries – including the Queen.

Other events in the fanatics’ sights are understood to have been Armed Forces Day in June, which marked the murder of Lee Rigby by two Islamist extremists, and the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli in April.

Mr Cameron had been expected to deliver a statement to MPs solely on the refugee crisis caused by the war between IS and the Syrian regime. But, after pledging to provide sanctuary to 20,000 Syrians, he shocked MPs with the revelations about the operation against Khan, who has featured in IS recruitment propaganda.

Ex-Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve said the strikes were ‘draconian’, adding: ‘I strongly suspect it will lead to a legal challenge.’ Kate Hudson of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said it was an extra-judicial killing.

Another British fanatic, Junaid Hussain, from Birmingham was killed by a US drone strike late last month

The Prime Minister said he would stick to his pledge to hold a Commons vote – probably next month – before ordering the RAF to conduct bombing raids against Islamic State terrorists in Syria.

‘I believe that case only grows stronger with the growing number of terrorist plots being directed or inspired by IS’s core leadership in Raqqah,’ he added.

But Michael Clarke, of the Royal United Services Institute, a think-tank, said Mr Cameron appeared to be trying to ‘log-roll a controversial issue through Parliament’ by wrapping it up with the high-profile case involving Khan.

Professor Clarke warned the strategy could backfire because of anger caused by the drone strike.

Lord McDonald, the former director of public prosecutions, said the killing of Khan was legal and justified. He said: ‘It is appropriate to invoke the principle of self-defence and to target him.

Khan, who was previously a straight A student in Cardiff, became a poster boy for ISIS when he appeared in a propaganda video entitled 'There Is No Life Without Jihad' in June last year, urging Westerners to join the war.

Please come back before it is too late. You are my only one son. I love you so much. Khan's mother, Rukia, after his disappearance in 2013

Later attending St David’s Catholic sixth-form college in the city, he was described by friends as a studious pupil who loved sports.

At the time of his disappearance, Khan’s family said they were desperate for him to come home.

His mother Rukia, 41, pleaded: ‘Please come back before it is too late. You are my only one son. I love you so much.’

But after arriving in Syria in late 2013 along with his friend, 21-year-old medical student Nasser Muthana, Khan changed beyond recognition.

Like many ISIS fighters, he was a prolific Twitter user, frequently posting graphic images and bloodthirsty posts.

In one, he posted gruesome images of the corpses of alleged ISIS victims, tweeting: ‘Guys we caught and executed. This is how they looked less than an hr l8er [sic]’.

He also laughed about witnessing the ‘longest decapitation ever’ and boasted in another: ‘Executed many prisoners yesterday.’

But his Facebook page, which also lists him as a Chelsea FC fan who enjoyed playing computer games FIFA 12 and Call of Duty, reveals how rapidly he transformed from a normal teenager to a bloodthirsty jihadi fighter.

After appearing in the propaganda video with a Kalashnikov assault rifle against his shoulder, his mother said she believed he had been ‘brainwashed’ into joining ISIS.

David Cameron used a speech in the House of Commons to unveil details of an RAF drone strike which killed three jihadis in Syria, including two Britons

Friends of Khan’s reacted to the news following Mr Cameron’s statement.

Mohammad Islam, a former local Councillor and family friend of Khan’s, told ITV News: ‘Obviously once I heard the news, [I was] very devastated and shocked for the local community.

‘I find this very tragic and upsetting for myself and for the local community. [It is the] same situation for the family.’

He added: ‘The whole community and family are very much devastated and shocked, and they need time to heal their wounds.’

He continued: ‘I’m against radicalism and extremism. I’m trying to campaign against radicalism from the young, vulnerable Muslim kids taken away from the community by those evil-minded ISIS or any groups from the UK.’

People at the mosque used by the family of Reyaad admitted that they had no idea he had been killed by an RAF drone.

Mokaddus Miah, Secreatary of Jalalia mosque in Grangetown, Cardiff, said: ‘If a person has done something bad then he has what’s coming to him. Anyone who wants to do something wrong must be punished. But I would have preferred to see him tried in a British court.’

Another friend, who did not want to be named, believed his parents were not aware he was killed by the RAF.

He said: ‘It is terrible, devastating, for them.’

A member of the mosque who only wanted to be known as ‘Shamsu’ said about British forces having killed Reyaad: ‘It makes it worse because it’s like your own country that’s killed you.

‘But they [the government] should’ve stopped him before he even got there because he’s a child at the end of the day and he’s been manipulated.’

Addressing MPs for the first time since their summer break, Mr Cameron said there had been a dramatic escalation in the terror threat against Britain.

Teenager: Before leaving for Syria in late 2013, Khan (circled), was a straight A pupil who loved sports

Reyaad Khan's Twitter profile picture, which comes under the name the nom de guerre Abu Dujana, who boasted of being prepared to be a martyr

There were 15 ISIS-related attacks around the world in the whole of 2014, but this year alone there have already been more than 150.

The Prime Minister announced that six terror attacks on Britain have been foiled this year.

'If there is a direct threat to the British people and we are able to stop it taking immediate action then as Prime Minister I will take that action,' Mr Cameron said.

The Prime Minister insisted that the drone strike was 'entirely lawful' after taking legal advice from the Attorney General.

'We were exercising the UK's inherent right to self-defence. There was clear evidence of the individuals in question planning and directing armed attacks against the UK.

'These were part of a series of actual and foiled attempts to attack the UK and our allies.

'And in the prevailing circumstances in Syria, the airstrike was the only feasible means of effectively disrupting the attacks planned and directed by this individual.

'So it was necessary and proportionate for the individual self-defence of the UK.'

However, political opponents raised concerns about the decision to launch military action in Syria without first seeking permission from the House of Commons.

Sick: Reyaad Khan (left) and Nasser Muthana (right) - both from Cardiff - featured in a propaganda video last June in which they urged Britons to travel to Syria

The Prime Minister defended the decision to launch military action in Syria without asking for MPs to approve airstrikes in advance

COULD FAMILIES OF DEAD FANATICS NOW SUE THE UK GOVERNMENT? Britain could be sued by the family of dead ISIS fanatic Reyaad Khan, ministers were warned this afternoon. David Cameron today repeatedly insisted that the government’s decision to authorise the drone strike was ‘entirely lawful’ and compatible with UN rules because the government was acting in self-defence. The airstrike was signed off as legal by the Government’s most senior lawyer after intelligence chiefs alerted ministers to Khan’s planned terror plots in Britain this summer. Under article 51 of the UN charter countries have an ‘inherent right’ to act in self-defence ‘if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations’. However, the former Attorney General Dominic Grieve tonight warned that the government would be unable to release the secret intelligence which showed Britain was under threat. This would leave the government open to being sued by Khan’s family, who live in Britain. He told the BBC: ‘I very strongly suspect that in view of the fact that this man was a British national with family in this country it will probably lead to a legal challenge in due course.’ Downing Street has confirmed the full details of the legal justification for the strikes will not be published. Mr Cameron said Britain’s intelligence agencies had identified the fanatic as a direct threat to the UK. The PM said the National Security Council then agreed that ‘should the right opportunity arise, then the military action should take action’. ‘The Attorney General attended the meeting and confirmed there was a legal basis for action. And on that basis, the Defence Secretary authorised the operation.’ Critics of the 2003 invasion have repeatedly claimed that it broke international law and accuse Tony Blair of taking the country to war on a lie. Advertisement

Hussain and Khan were 'actively recruiting' ISIS sympathisers and 'seeking to orchestrate specific and barbaric attacks against the West, including directing a number of planned terrorist attacks right here in Britain, such as plots to attack high profile public commemorations, including those taking place this summer,' the PM said.

'We should be under no illusion. Their intention was the murder of British citizens. So on this occasion we ourselves took action.

'Today I can inform the House that in an act of self-defence and after meticulous planning Reyaad Khan was killed in a precision air strike carried out on August 21 by an RAF remotely piloted aircraft while he was travelling in a vehicle in the area of Raqqah in Syria.

'In addition to Reyaad Khan who was the target of the strike, two IS associates were also killed, one of whom - Ruhul Amin, has been identified as a UK national.

'They were IS fighters and I can confirm there were no civilian casualties'.

Mr Cameron went on: 'My first duty as Prime Minister is to keep the British people safe.

'That is what I will always do. There was a terrorist directing murder on our streets and no other means to stop him.

'This government does not for one moment take these decisions lightly.

'But I am not prepared to stand here in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on our streets and have to explain to the House why I did not take the chance to prevent it, when I could have done.

'That is why I believe our approach is right.'

The premier said the UK's intelligence agencies had identified the direct threat from Khan.

'At a meeting of the most senior members of the National Security Council, we agreed that should the right opportunity arise, then the military action should take action,' he said.

'The strike was conducted according to specific military rules of engagement, which always comply with international law and the principles of proportionality and military necessity.

'The military assessed the target location and chose the optimum time to minimise the risk of civilian casualties.

'This was a sensitive operation to prevent a very real threat to our country.'

Labour's acting leader Harriet Harman said she only learned of the August 21 attack for the first time at a briefing earlier today.

Responding to Mr Cameron's statement, she called for the legal advice justifying the decision to be published.

Ms Harman added: 'Why didn't the Attorney General authorise this specific action rather than merely 'confirming there was a legal basis for it'?'

She continued: 'What was it about this individual and his actions that singled him out from all that has gone before? Did he represent an ongoing threat or was the threat based on a specific act he was plotting?

Ms Harman said there was a need for 'independent scrutiny' of the attack and said David Anderson, the independent reviewer of counter terrorism policy, should review the events.

Last month a major security operation was mounted in central London over fears of an ISIS attack against a VJ Day parade attended by the Queen

Security chiefs disrupted the plot to cause carnage at the events to mark the end of the Far East campaign, during which 30,000 British troops were killed between 1941 to 1945

She told MPs the Labour leadership - due to hand over to the newly elected leader on Saturday - would look at any case for expanding on-going British bombing in Iraq into Syria.

Ms Harman said: 'We will carefully consider any proposals in relation to military action in Syria the Government brings forward. But we all need to be clear about what difference any action would make to our objective of defeating Isil, about the nature of any action and its objectives, and the legal basis.

PLOT TO 'KILL THE QUEEN FOILED' A WEEK BEFORE DRONE STRIKE An ISIS-inspired terror plot to kill the Queen was foiled just a week before the drone strike was launched by the RAF. Last month it emerged that intelligence services had uncovered a plan to use an Improvised Explosive Device to murder the Queen, dignitaries and veterans at a VJ Day parade. A major security operation was launched over fears of terrorists intent on causing carnage at the event on August 15 to mark the end of WWII in the Far East, during which 30,000 British troops were killed between 1941 to 1945. Downing Street refused to confirm which events were targeted by Khan. But David Cameron told MPs he was behind 'plots to attack high profile public commemorations, including those taking place this summer'. Advertisement

'Potential action must command the support of other nations in the region, including Iraq and the coalition already taking action in Syria.'

However, Mr Cameron rejected the call to publish the legal advice. The revelations reignited debate about Britain's future role in wider military action in Syria.'

Mr Cameron was humiliated in 2013 when Tory rebels joined with Labour to vote down a plan to launch missile strikes against the Assad regime.

The Prime Minister, Chancellor George Osborne, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond have agreed there is a 'strong case' for action in Syria as well as neighbouring Iraq.

A vote on joining bombing raids against ISIS is expected in the Commons next month.

But the drone strike against Khan was authorised by Mr Fallon at a meeting of the National Security Council to prevent a 'very real threat to our country', Mr Cameron said.

'I want to be clear that this strike was not part of coalition military action against ISIL in Syria – it was a targeted strike to deal with a clear, credible and specific terrorist threats to our country at home.

'The position with regard to the wider conflict with ISIL in Syria has not changed.

'As the House knows, I believe there is a strong case for the UK taking part in airstrikes as part of the international coalition to target ISIL in Syria as well as Iraq.

'And I believe that case only grows stronger with the growing number of terrorist plots being directed or inspired by ISIL’s core leadership in Raqqah.'

RAF Reaper drones had been carrying out surveillance over Syria but ministers had insisted it would require 'further permission' for them to use weapons in the country

The unmanned drones are operated from ground control at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire were pilots control the aircraft from more than 2,500 miles away

Brendan O'Hara, the SNP defence spokesman said: 'David Cameron has got to come clean about his plans following these developments.

'I have long been concerned about what exactly his plans are to increase military activity – and now we are getting an insight into what may be going on.

RAF DRONES WHICH KILLED KHAN CONTROLLED 2,500 MILES AWAY Britain has an estimated fleet of 500 drones, but only a small number are armed. The most controversial are the Reaper drones of RAF 13 Squadron. These are armed with 500lb Hellfire missiles, which are said to have been used to carry out strikes on Islamist leaders in Afghanistan and Iraq. Tornado jets and Reaper drones have flown more than 1,000 missions against IS in Iraq, striking 300 targets. Since October last year, the Reaper craft are only authorised to carry out surveillance in Syria. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said at the time: 'Reapers are not authorised to use weapons in Syria; that would require further permission.' However, he authorised their use for the attack on Khan without consulting the Commons. The unmanned drones are operated from ground control at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire were pilots control the aircraft from more than 2,500 miles away. Advertisement

'I fear that David Cameron is planning to use this awful humanitarian tragedy as a smokescreen in order to fulfil his long-held desire to involve UK forces in more military action in Syria

'The case for bombing in Syria has simply not been made – and any involvement of British service personnel in bombing without the approval of Parliament clearly flouts the democratic decision taken by the House of Commons.'

Labour leadership favourite Jeremy Corbyn urged Mr Cameron to invite Iran to a summit of Middle Eastern countries alongside Britain, the US and Russia to try and thrash out a political solution to the war in Syria.

He said: 'Would you say anything about the welcome remarks made by the Foreign Secretary during his visit to Tehran in which he indicated that because of the new relationship with Iran there was a possibility of a wider political involvement in bringing about some degree of progress, possibly even a solution to the desperate crisis facing Syria of a summit of all the nations of that region plus of course Britain, the USA and Russia?'

But Mr Cameron insisted Britain must be 'cautious and sceptical' about Iran because it supports terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

The PM said: 'Of course there is an opportunity for greater dialogue with Iran now this nuclear deal, which I think is a good deal, has been done.

'But I think Britain should enter into this in a very cautious and sceptical way.

'We ought to remember that Iran is still a supporter of terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah which I know you describe as friends but I see very much as enemies

'And also we need to make sure that Iran is playing a positive role in Syria rather than the road it is now of proposing up the hated Assad regime.'

The announcement came as the Prime Minster confirmed that Britain will take thousands of refugees to ease the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Mr Cameron is to raid the foreign aid budget to fund support for adults and children who are resettled in Britain.

REYAAD KHAN: Isis poster boy who was target of British strike

Reyaad Khan was an ISIS poster boy who appeared in a shocking recruitment video aimed at luring jihadists to Syria and Iraq.

Before his death he could have faced a war crimes trial as he repeatedly uploaded bloodthirsty posts and pictures on social media bragging about the inhumane killings.

In one he posted graphic photographs of the distorted corpses of alleged victims, tweeting: 'Guys we caught & executed. This is how they looked less than an hr l8er'.

The former college student from the Welsh capital also laughed about witnessing the 'longest decapitation ever' and boasted in another: 'Executed many prisoners yesterday.'

His claims about his involvement in the crimes carried out by a unit of ISIS are now being investigated by the United Nations.

Khan is believed to have been radicalised through extremist websites in his bedroom in Cardiff.

It was all so different back in 2009 when Khan, then 15, was said to be thrilled to meet former Labour minister Mr Balls.

Just a year after the picture was taken, Khan spoke on a film of his wish to rid the world of 'evil' and of the problems of growing up in a deprived inner-city area.

He also once said in a Facebook post he wanted to become the country's first Asian Prime Minister after sitting on a local youth forum.

British ISIS fighter Reyaad Khan (circled, left) from Wales was killed in an airstrike in Syria just six years after he was 'thrilled' to meet ex- Labour MP Ed Balls (circled, right)

Going by the nom de guerre Abu Dujana Britani, had previously boasted of being prepared to be a martyr and claimed he was planning 'fireworks', meaning to become a suicide bomber.

Confirmation of his death comes after a number of ISIS supporters claimed on Twitter last month that he had died.

Khan – a former pupil at Cardiff's Cantonian High School in Cardiff – was described by friends as a studious pupil who loved sports.

From there he went to St David's Catholic sixth-form college in the city.

He left for Syria in 2013 with medical student Nasser Muthana, 21, who was joined in Syria three months later by his younger brother, Aseel, 18.

Nasser had taken £100 from his father to go on an Islamic seminar in Shrewsbury in November, but instead went to Syria.

RAHUL AMIN: Aberdeen schoolboy killed in RAF strike

Aberdeen schoolboy Rahul Amin, who also died in the attack on Khan, appeared in a now notorious recruitment video for Islamic militant group ISIS and fled to Syria after breaking up with his fiancée.

Amin was filmed alongside fellow Britons Reyaad Khan and Nasser Muthana, both 20, urging other Muslims to fight for Isis in the Middle East.

Wearing wrap-around sunglasses and a white scarf around his head, Amin described jihad as 'the cure for depression' in the video.

Amin was educated in Aberdeen after moving from Bangladesh and his family left the Scottish city for Leicester a few years ago

Speaking in front of Isis's black flag, he says: 'Are you willing to sacrifice the fat job you've got, the big car you've got, the family you have? Are you willing to sacrifice this, for the sake of Allah?

'Definitely, if you sacrifice something for Allah, Allah will give you 700 times more than this.'

Amin was educated in Aberdeen after moving from Bangladesh and his family left the Scottish city for Leicester a few years ago, according to reports.

Stunned former classmates described how Amin was a 'really outgoing guy' who 'could have done really well for himself.'

He was said to have been 'brainwashed' after he became depressed when he split from his girlfriend.

One friend said: 'I think that was the turning point. He was vulnerable - and that made him easy pickings for the monsters who have brainwashed him.'

JUNAID HUSSAIN: Briton killed by U.S. was no.3 on wanted list

Junaid Hussain, 21, was no.3 on America's ISIS target list due to his hacking credentials and key role as a foreign fighter recruiter for the jihadi group before the United States killed him in a drone strike.

Hussain, who fled Birmingham in 2013, was married to 'Mrs Terror' Sally Jones, a 44-year-old rocker turned Muslim convert from Kent. She met the jihadi fighter online and left the UK with her son to join him in Syria.

Junaid Hussain was married to 'Mrs Terror' Sally Jones, a 44-year-old rocker turned Muslim convert from Kent

Jones, who now refers to herself as Sakinah Hussain, reportedly told a British jihadi bride that her husband had not been killed in an airstrike and was alive and well, which David Cameron proved false today.

Hussain's wide, dubbed Mrs Terror, said she is 'blessed her husband is still alive,' according to the British jihadi bride.

Just before his death Jones and her husband made headlines after they sent bombmaking manuals and boasted of 'lone wolf' terror attacks to investigative journalists, posing as jihadi brides.

Computer hacker Junaid was well known on social media, frequently creating new accounts in order to threaten terror attacks on the West.

In June this year, he was linked with an IS plot to attack an Armed Forces Day parade in south London.

It was believed the plan was to carry out pressure cooker bomb attack, similar to the Boston Marathon attack in 2013.

The intended targets were soldiers and bystanders on the route. The plan was scuppered only after Hussain unwittingly recruited an undercover journalist.

He told the investigator: 'It will be big. We will hit the kuffar (unbelievers) hard InshAllah. Hit their soldiers in their own land. InshAllah. Soldiers that served in Iraq and Afganistan will be present. Jump in the crowd and detonate the bomb.