Warning of threat to UK from Somalia

Somalia is a direct threat to the UK’s security because it is one of the “most dysfunctional countries in the world”, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has warned.

Mr Mitchell has also announced that Britain would target more than 9,000 tonnes of food supplies and medicines to children in the drought-ravaged Horn of Africa this Christmas.

On Somalia he said: “There are probably more British passport-holders engaged in terrorist training in Somalia than in any other country in the world.

“This is not only about saving the lives of huge numbers of vulnerable babies and children, it is also about doing the right thing to promote British security.”

Mr Mitchell ruled out “putting boots on the ground” in Somalia but said the government was involved with the UN and African Union force in Mogadishu.