Yvette Cooper initiates a review concerning “serious information failures” following the oversight of controversial posts made by released activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah.
The Foreign Secretary disclosed that previous high-ranking officials and government employees were unaware of social media remarks by Mr. El-Fattah that seemed to incite violence against Zionists and law enforcement. El-Fattah entered the UK on Boxing Day after a travel restriction was lifted post his release from incarceration.
Despite both Ms. Cooper and PM Keir Starmer welcoming his arrival, they faced criticism as old tweets from 2010 resurfaced. Ms. Cooper informed Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, in a letter that the established procedures and due diligence processes were “entirely inadequate” in this instance. The government condemned the tweets, which Mr. El-Fattah has since apologized for, as “abhorrent.”
Expressing deep concern amidst increasing antisemitism and recent attacks on Jewish individuals globally, Ms. Cooper regretted the distress caused to Jewish communities in the UK by the sudden exposure of historical tweets alongside the social media posts celebrating Mr. El-Fattah’s return. She promptly directed the permanent under secretary to investigate the significant information lapses and to enhance the due diligence systems for high-profile consular and human-rights cases handled by the FCDO.
Mr. El-Fattah obtained UK citizenship in December 2021 under the leadership of then-PM Boris Johnson, reportedly through his British mother. Calls from the Tories and Reform UK to revoke his citizenship have been made, although no current plans exist for such action.
His imprisonment for disseminating false news was criticized as a violation of international law by UN investigators. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi pardoned him in September. Various UK governments advocated for his release, and he has now reunited with his son in Brighton.
Mr. El-Fattah expressed remorse, acknowledging the offensiveness of his previous comments, attributing them to youthful frustration during regional conflicts and police brutality in Egypt.
Downing Street defended the government’s handling of the situation amid demands from opposition figures for the activist’s deportation. The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson stressed the UK’s commitment to religious and political freedoms, while condemning the historical tweets as abhorrent.
Government officials believe there are no legal grounds to revoke Mr. Abd El-Fattah’s citizenship, as established case law dictates such action is reserved for cases involving fraud, dangerous criminals, or terrorists.