Security fears in the UK as naval officer defects to ISIS

The 28 year old, is said to have in-depth knowledge of the UK shipping fleet gained during three years training in the UK.

Former Royal Navy First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Lord West told the Mail on Sunday: "This suddenly raises the spectre of ISIS damaging shipping.

"Someone with his knowledge opens up a whole new area where terrorism can take place."

The Mail on Sunday has seen a number of leaked documents, including those relating to the young man from Kuwait joining ISIS.

The newspaper says he enrolled on a three-year Merchant Navy officer course in 2011 having previously worked on Kuwaiti oil tankers.

Lord West, former security adviser to the Prime Minister, told the Mail on Sunday: "I think the most danger is posed by ISIS acquiring a Liquid Natural Gas container. These are highly flammable and could cause a very large explosion. Britain and the US have been worried about this for some time."

The former UK student entered Syria in April 2014.

A former housemate told the Mail on Sunday his fellow student saw videos of killings in Syria committed by state troops.

An uncle claims said the 28-year-old’s younger brother was killed in Syria. He said the student was about to take up a job on tankers in Kuwait before disappearing to Syria and sending his family a message.