Yvette Cooper initiates a review into “serious information failures” following overlooked “abhorrent” social media posts by recently released activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah. The Foreign Secretary disclosed that previous senior officials were unaware of Mr. El-Fattah’s online comments advocating violence against Zionists and law enforcement. El-Fattah entered the UK on Boxing Day after a travel restriction was lifted post his prison release.
Both Yvette Cooper and PM Keir Starmer expressed support for El-Fattah upon his arrival but faced criticism when old tweets surfaced dating back to 2010. Cooper informed Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, that existing procedures and due diligence processes were grossly insufficient in this case. The Government condemned the tweets, which El-Fattah has since apologized for, as “abhorrent.”
In response to the situation, Cooper emphasized the need for an urgent review of the information lapses and the overall due diligence frameworks within the department. El-Fattah acquired UK citizenship in December 2021 during Boris Johnson’s term as Prime Minister, reportedly through his British-born mother. Calls from the Tories and Reform UK to revoke his citizenship have been made, although there are currently no active plans for such action.
El-Fattah, who was imprisoned for spreading false news, was granted a pardon by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in September, a move criticized by UN investigators as a violation of international law. Various UK governments advocated for his release, leading to his reunion with his son in Brighton.
El-Fattah expressed remorse for his past comments, acknowledging their hurtful nature and attributing them to youthful frustrations during regional crises. He admitted to engaging in online disputes insensitively and expressed regret for his actions.
Despite opposition demands for El-Fattah’s deportation, 10 Downing Street defended the Government’s handling of the case. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson highlighted the importance of upholding religious and political freedoms while condemning the historical tweets as abhorrent.
Government officials maintain that there are no legal grounds to strip El-Fattah of his citizenship, citing established case law requiring fraud or involvement in dangerous criminal activities for such actions.