When asked by BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Monday if a process to review HTS’s designation as a terror group was underway, McFadden said: “Yes, obviously that’s got to be considered. They’ve been proscribed for quite a long time now.”
“The leader of that group has distanced himself in a way from some of the things that have been said in the past.
“He is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting people’s rights. So we’ll look at that in the days to come.”
McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said the government was not aware of what is going to happen in Syria.
“But obviously if the situation stabilises, there will be a decision to make about how to deal with whatever new regime is in place there,” he said.
“I think should be a relatively swift decision. So it’s something that will have to be considered quite quickly given the speed of the situation on the ground.”
“A lot will depend on whether their statements about the protection of minorities and citizens are backed up.”
McFadden also confirmed he was not aware the government had any line of communication through an intermediary with the HTS.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said it is “long-standing” government policy not to engage with proscribed organisations, but it keeps the banned list “under regular review”.
Former ex-head of MI6 Sir John Sawers told Sky News it would be “rather ridiculous” if the UK was unable to engage with HTS because of the ban.
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Conservatives wanted to “put the Syrian people first” and called on the government to review the “security and defence implications as well as the terrorist risks” posed by the rebel groups.