The UK home secretary has pledged to robustly defend the government’s decision to remove Shamima Begum’s British citizenship, reaffirming that the action was taken on national security grounds and remains lawful and justified.

The statement comes as the long-running case continues through the courts, drawing renewed public attention at the start of the year.

Begum left the United Kingdom as a teenager to join the so-called Islamic State group in Syria and later sought to return.

Successive home secretaries have maintained that depriving her of citizenship was necessary to protect the public, arguing that the decision was made in accordance with the law and supported by security assessments.

The current home secretary said the government will continue to contest the case vigorously and defend the principle that safeguarding the country must remain paramount.

The government has consistently stated that Begum is eligible for citizenship elsewhere, a position central to its legal case.

Officials have emphasised that the courts have repeatedly scrutinised the decision-making process, and that ministers are acting within powers granted by Parliament.

The home secretary said the government respects the judicial process while remaining confident in its position.

The case has become a focal point in wider debates over citizenship, security and the limits of ministerial authority.

As legal proceedings continue, the government has signalled it will not retreat from decisions it believes are essential to maintaining public safety and upholding the integrity of the UK’s immigration and nationality system.