Outrage as UK government says it would not object to the execution of two suspected Islamic State militants - if they're convicted in America #BBCNolan

The government has insisted it hasn't abandoned its blanket opposition to the death penalty - despite saying the UK would not object to the execution of two suspected Islamic State militants -- if they're convicted in America.

The two men are accused of belonging to a cell known as "The Beatles" which beheaded western hostages in Syria and Iraq. They were arrested in January and have been stripped of their British citizenship. The government said its priority was to ensure the men faced criminal prosecution -- but Labour described the decision as "abhorrent".