Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a review into “serious information failures” regarding Alaa Abd El Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist. This comes after tweets from Abd El Fattah surfaced, leading to a backlash that includes calls for his UK citizenship to be revoked.
In a letter to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Cooper mentioned that she, along with Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, were unaware of Abd El Fattah’s historical tweets, which they found “abhorrent.” These tweets included calls for violence that have raised concerns, especially in light of rising antisemitism in the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer had initially expressed joy over Abd El Fattah’s arrival in the UK after his release from an Egyptian prison. However, he quickly condemned the resurfaced tweets, calling them “absolutely abhorrent.” He acknowledged that these revelations had intensified distress within the Jewish community in the UK.
The Conservative Party and Reform UK have been vocal in demanding Abd El Fattah’s deportation. They argue that past administrations were naïve in allowing people like him into the country.
Cooper highlighted that past governments may have made statements about Abd El Fattah without all the necessary information. Current and former officials had not been briefed about his controversial tweets, leading to what she described as an “unacceptable failure” in due diligence.
Abd El Fattah has apologized for these tweets, claiming he never intended to instigate violence. He described the resurfacing of these comments as deeply unsettling, particularly as he reconnects with his family after years of separation due to imprisonment.
Notably, the Foreign Office has emphasized its commitment to advocating for Abd El Fattah’s release, noting he was imprisoned after a trial widely criticized by human rights organizations. In December 2021, he gained British citizenship through his mother, who was born in London.
In recent developments, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated that Abd El Fattah should lose his citizenship, despite admitting he was unaware of the tweets during his time as immigration minister. Meanwhile, Labour’s Dame Emily Thornberry argued such measures are legally unfounded, underscoring that he is indeed a British citizen entitled to his rights.
Interestingly, a government source indicated that revoking citizenship is quite rare and typically requires evidence of fraud or a significant national security threat—criteria likely not met in this instance.
Abd El Fattah, a prominent figure during Egypt’s 2011 uprising, has faced significant challenges throughout his life. After spending over a decade in prison, he was finally released in September following a campaign for his freedom. As he starts anew, many are watching the developments around him closely, reflecting broader discussions about justice, human rights, and state accountability.
For more on this evolving story, check out BBC News.
