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Controversy erupts over activist's past social media posts
Egyptian-British democracy advocate Alaa Abdel Fattah has issued an apology after old tweets resurfaced, sparking demands for his deportation from the UK just days after his arrival following a decade-long imprisonment in Egypt.
Political leaders demand citizenship review
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK's Nigel Farage have urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to assess whether Abdel Fattah's citizenship can be revoked. The calls follow the circulation of posts in which he allegedly called for the killing of Zionists and police, as well as making racially charged remarks.
Farage, in a letter to Mahmood, argued that individuals with such views "should not be allowed into the UK." Badenoch described the comments as "disgusting and abhorrent," emphasizing that citizenship decisions must account for social media activity and public statements.
Some Labour MPs have also reportedly joined the chorus for revocation, though the party's stance remains divided. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated there was "no excuse" for Abdel Fattah's language, while Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, defended his citizenship rights under UK law.
Abdel Fattah's response and legal constraints
In a statement, Abdel Fattah acknowledged the tweets were "shocking and hurtful" and offered an unequivocal apology. He argued, however, that some posts had been "completely twisted out of their meaning," including one misinterpreted as homophobic, which he claimed was instead mocking homophobia.
"I am shaken that, just as I am being reunited with my family for the first time in 12 years, several historic tweets of mine have been republished and used to question and attack my integrity and values."
Alaa Abdel Fattah
Legal experts note that revoking citizenship is complex under international law, which prohibits rendering individuals stateless. Abdel Fattah, a dual national, would need to be eligible for citizenship elsewhere for such a move to proceed.
Background: Imprisonment and UK advocacy
The 44-year-old activist, a prominent figure in Egypt's 2011 uprising, was convicted in 2021 of "spreading fake news" for sharing a Facebook post about torture in Egypt. Human rights groups condemned the trial as unfair. His release in September followed a presidential pardon and sustained lobbying by the UK government, which had prioritized his case across multiple administrations.
Abdel Fattah obtained British citizenship in December 2021 through his London-born mother, a process overseen by then-Home Secretary Priti Patel. Philp, who served as immigration minister under Patel, told the BBC he was unaware of the controversial tweets at the time.
Reactions from Jewish groups and Labour
The Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed "profound concern," with Senior Vice-President Adrian Cohen calling Abdel Fattah's rhetoric "threatening to British Jews and the wider public." Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced criticism for initially celebrating Abdel Fattah's arrival, though a spokesperson clarified Starmer was unaware of the historical posts.
Badenoch criticized the "uncritical" elevation of Abdel Fattah as a "moral hero," distinguishing between advocating for his release and endorsing his views. The Foreign Office echoed this sentiment, condemning the tweets as "abhorrent" while reaffirming its long-standing efforts to secure his freedom.
What's next
Abdel Fattah, now reunited with his 14-year-old son in Brighton, has faced similar controversies before. In 2014, he was stripped of a nomination for the Sakharov Prize, a European human rights award, over tweets about Israel posted during a Gaza offensive. He maintains those comments were part of a "private conversation" taken out of context.
The Home Office has not indicated whether it will pursue citizenship revocation, but the debate underscores tensions between human rights advocacy and public safety concerns.
