Cooper launches review of ‘serious failures’ in Alaa Abd el-Fattah case
Foreign secretary says due diligence procedures were inadequate amid storm over activist’s past tweets Yvette Cooper has launched a review looking into “serious information failures” around the case of a British-Egyptian activist welcomed to the UK despite his past tweets now called “abhorrent” by the government. Keir Starmer said he was “delighted” by Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s arrival on Friday but a political storm erupted after social media posts from a decade ago were unearthed including some in which the activist had called for Zionists to be killed. Continue reading...
MPs reject calls to strip British-Egyptian activist of UK nationality over social media posts from a decade ago
Downing Street has defended its campaign for the release of a British-Egyptian activist and its decision to welcome him to the UK despite his “abhorrent” tweets a decade ago.
Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who arrived in London on Boxing Day after the British government successfully negotiated his release, said he apologised “unequivocally” for his posts after opposition parties called for him to be deported and his citizenship revoked.
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