British nationals being held in Syrian prison camps for fighting on behalf of Islamic State should be allowed to return to the UK, Donald Trump’s incoming counter-terrorism chief has said.

Any country that wants to be a “serious ally” to the United States should commit to the international fight against the extremist group by repatriating its citizens, according to Sebastian Gorka.

He declared that this applies “doubly” to Britain and suggested the move would help to cement the transatlantic “special relationship” under the second Trump presidency.

In an interview with the Times, when asked if the UK should be forced to accept IS members back, Gorka said: “Any nation which wishes to be seen to be a serious ally and friend of the most powerful nation in the world should act in a fashion that reflects that serious commitment.

“That is doubly so for the UK which has a very special place in President Trump’s heart and we would all wish to see the ‘special relationship’ fully re-established.”

The paper reported that the list of about 20 British women, 40 children and 20 men includes Shamima Begum, who last year lost her final appeal against the Home Office’s decision to strip her of her UK citizenship on national security grounds.

The intervention is the latest signal from the president-elect’s inner circle of his incoming administration taking a more robust approach towards Washington’s allies.

Trump has also threatened to impose global tariffs on imports, which experts have warned would damage international economies.