MI5 know who IS' 'Jihadi John' is but are waiting to make a move

Jihadi John was known to MI5 before he travelled to Syria to join the barbaric Islamic State. Scroll down for video Intelligence agencies are said to have identified 'Jihadi John' but have postponed raids on his associates over fears such actions could hamper any attempt to rescue his hostages It is believed the hostages are being held in tunnels beneath Raqqa, which has become an IS stronghold Police and security agents also want to gather more information before raiding the homes of the fanatic’s family and friends. A shortlist of potential identities for Jihadi John was drawn up soon after the first video appeared of him executing US journalist James Foley - and authorities are now said to have a suspect Other Britons from Portsmouth, Birmingham and Cardiff have been linked to John, who is said to have overseen the torture of hostages and to have led negotiations for French and Italian captives freed in return for ransoms. Linguistic experts believe the way he pronounced certain words, such as Iraqi place names, suggest he has a foreign language background – indicating his parents or grandparents may have come from the Middle East. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond called a emergency Cobra meeting soon after the latest video emerged so defence and security chiefs could plan their response He appears to have a skin tone consistent with someone of African, Middle Eastern or South Asian descent.