I think the simple fact is that, given the historical "covenant of security" that the UK has provided to Islamic supremacists, the United States should have a non-ally relationship with the UK and should have much stricter travel conditions. Rashid Rauf was "radicalized" in the UK, not Pakistan.

Jeff, Washington DC, US

In a war based on lies of the government (Iraq) one can understand the antagonism of a large proportion of the Islamic world.This does not excuse the acts of terrorism carried out against the civilian population (many against the war). Why didn'nt the fugitive face trial in the UK if he was innocent

phil, stevenage, uk

If terrorist s dropped a bomb on an east end pub killing a number of villains as well as innocent customers, would we be saying job well done.? It's precisely these type of double standards that are proving the biggest recruiment draw for Al Queda

Uche George, London, England

"They do not follow the Geneva Convention.." So we are absolved? Come on! Don't make me ill, the way this is panning out, they would be perfectly justified in saying that they are no worse than us. Why give them this excuse, by copying their 'unacceptable behaviour'?

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, Yorkshire W. R.

Liberal nonsense! How were we supposed to capture him - its a surgical strike like many in war.

Andy, Manchester,

... and comments like that from JL Ronish make it perfectly clear why the USA, once admired and respected by billions around the world, is now neither.

David McGregor, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia

As a constituent of Mr Mercer and a conservative I am ashamed at his remarks ! These people Mr Mercer do not follow the Geneva Convention they use children and women to murder with suicide belts . We must use all force to destroy anyone opposed to democracy and freedom who uses terrorism against us

Tim, Newark , UK

Most of the comments I have seen on this article take the view that human rights, law, justice, and decency are luxuries that we ourselves enjoy - but that we don't have to extend to "lesser breeds without the law". That is an essentially lawless and immoral attitude - not to mention racist.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

The problem is one of "sovereignty" revered by diplomats and occasionally by politicians. Why do we refuse to return terrorists to their place of origin while giving full diplomatic recognition and respect to such countries. "Thou shalt not kill; but need'st not strive officiously to keep alive"!

Brian Lewis, Manila, Philippines

We had a thousand years of perfectly good law that had adapted over time to meet the needs and aspirations of the people of this country. With the human rights law this has been thrown out the window to protect those that would harm the majority of our citizens. Time for repeal of this law.

Richard, Enfield, England

What Mr Mercer has failed to notice is that we are not simply fighting terrrorism. Terrorism is one of many tactics in a larger plan of attack. We are fighting a war; a war that our enemies sincerely believe to be a holy war. In order to win hearts and minds show that you're going to win the war.

Mike Wood, Bradford, UK

Mr Mercer should wake up and smell the coffee, we are in a virtual religious war but every left-winger and politician are scared to admit it.

John Dunn, Tiverton Devon, UK

Mr Mercer, it is opinions such as your that are destroying the UK from the inside. You cannot fight a duel with someone who will shoot you in the back. Marching into battle in a straight line ended and playing fair must end if we are to stand a chance.

Keith Wilson, Beziers,

Rights are nonsense because they are unenforcable except by someone else protecting ones life, freedoms, etc. as was the case before rights were invented. The governments priority is to protect citizens. Everything else is subordinate to that.

R Mason, London, UK

Dangerously naive. He's trying to pander to the liberal lobby! In this multiracial society we live in people who want to kill us are all around us, yet we are hamstrung by rules and human rights laws which turn killers into "victims" entitled to freedom and compensation.

Roger, Norfolk,

one less=a result. keep it up

terry sullivan, morden, england

The man was only getting in some xmas shopping.

D Brown, London, England

The murder of a Muslim Briton is justified by mere accusations of "being a terrorist", with no pretence at a trial nor any attempt at arrest. Comments supporting the murder unquestioningly accept the official story, despite the lesson of the recently exposed "Iraqi WMD" official lies.

Richard Cheeseman, Wellington, Aotearoa/NZ

Mr. Mercer, so we fight your way and we all get to die like gentlemen? No thanks.

Charlie, Greenville, North Carolina, usa

Britain should be disregarding Strasbourg’s decision on the deportation of ‘suspected’ terrorists; we should be deporting them along with their families in order to protect our own citizens. If they knew the consequences to their families, would they be as quick to plot the deaths of UK citizens?

Les, Southport, England

The examples cited (N. Ireland & deportation) involve people within reach of the legal system. There is an name for how you deal with those who use foreign territory outside your country to attack your country, "warfare". It is a legitimate right of any country to defend itself.

Davd, Menlo Park, CA, USA

This is ridiculous! In what sense is this killing "extrajudicial"? We are talking here about an enemy combatant, regardless of where his passport was issued.

Some of Mr Mercers arguments are valid - but they do not apply in this case. The US are our best ally - how could we not share intelligence

ed, melbourne, australia

Mr. Rauf was in a war zone with two Al Qaeda suspects. He was not even the target of the operation.

Conceivably he was innocent, he might have even been a British intelligence source. But at the very least he was stupid to spend the evening in the same house with high value Al Qaeda targets.

Steve, San Jose , USA

Reading this helps me understand what has happened to your once great but now pathetic country. How truly sad.

JL Ronish, seattle, usa