Yvette Cooper has initiated a review of “serious information failures” following the oversight of concerning posts made by activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah after his release.
The Foreign Secretary revealed that high-ranking officials were unaware of El-Fattah’s social media remarks advocating violence against Zionists and law enforcement. El-Fattah entered the UK on Boxing Day after his travel ban was lifted post-release from prison.
Both Yvette Cooper and PM Keir Starmer expressed support for his arrival but faced criticism as old tweets from 2010 resurfaced. Cooper disclosed that she has commissioned a review of the situation.
In a letter to Dame Emily Thornberry, Cooper criticized the inadequate long-standing procedures and due diligence processes in place. She emphasized that the Government condemns the offensive nature of the tweets, which El-Fattah has since apologized for.
Expressing deep concern amidst increasing antisemitism, Cooper highlighted the distress caused to Jewish communities by the unexpected reemergence of El-Fattah’s historical tweets. She urged a swift review of the information lapses and the enhancement of due diligence mechanisms within the department.
El-Fattah was granted British citizenship in December 2021 during Boris Johnson’s tenure as PM, reportedly through his British mother. Calls from the Tories and Reform UK to revoke his citizenship have been made, although there are no immediate plans for such action.
His imprisonment on false news charges was condemned as a violation of international law by UN investigators. Following a pardon from Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, both Tory and Labour governments advocated for El-Fattah’s release, leading to his reunion with his son in Brighton.
El-Fattah expressed remorse, acknowledging the hurtfulness of his past comments. He attributed them to youthful anger during regional crises and police brutality incidents in Egypt.
Amid demands for El-Fattah’s deportation from opposition critics, 10 Downing Street defended the Government’s handling of the case. The Prime Minister’s spokesman reaffirmed the commitment to religious and political freedom while denouncing the offensive nature of the historic tweets.
Government officials believe there are no legal grounds to strip El-Fattah of his citizenship, citing established case law that allows such actions only in cases of fraud or involving dangerous criminals and terrorists.