Egyptian democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has expressed regret over a series of old tweets that have recently resurfaced, coinciding with escalating calls for his deportation from the United Kingdom. The 44-year-old, who arrived in the UK just days ago after being released from an Egyptian jail, finds himself at the center of a political storm as leaders from the Conservative Party and Reform UK demand action from the Home Secretary.
The controversy began when messages surfaced in which Abdel Fattah made incendiary remarks about violence against police and Zionists. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have both urged the government to explore the possibility of revoking Abdel Fattah’s citizenship, which he obtained through his London-born mother. Farage stated in a letter to the Home Secretary,
“It should go without saying that anyone who possesses racist and anti-British views such as those of Mr. Abdel Fattah should not be allowed into the UK.”
In response to the outrage, Abdel Fattah apologized, acknowledging the distress caused by his past statements. “I do understand how shocking and hurtful they are, and for that I unequivocally apologise,” he stated. He emphasized that some of his comments had been “completely twisted out of their meaning,” particularly regarding allegations of antisemitism.
The political ramifications of his situation have been significant. Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, faced backlash for expressing delight at Abdel Fattah’s arrival in the UK. Reports suggest he was unaware of the historical tweets that prompted calls for deportation. Critics argue that the warm welcome extended to Abdel Fattah demonstrates a lack of due diligence among politicians who campaigned for his release.
Abdel Fattah’s legal troubles began in 2021, when he was convicted of “spreading fake news” in Egypt after sharing a Facebook post about torture in the country. His trial was widely criticized by human rights organizations as unfair. Following a presidential pardon, he was released in September 2023 after spending over a decade in prison for his activism.
The UK government has stated that working for Abdel Fattah’s release and reunion with his family has been a long-standing priority. The Foreign Office condemned his past posts as “abhorrent” but has also recognized the complexities surrounding citizenship laws, which prevent individuals from being rendered stateless.
Badenoch condemned Abdel Fattah’s resurfaced comments as “disgusting and abhorrent,” emphasizing that citizenship decisions should reflect an individual’s social media activity and public statements. She added, “It is one thing to work for someone’s release from prison if they’ve been treated unfairly… It is quite another to elevate them, publicly and uncritically, into a moral hero.”
In a further development, the Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed profound concern over Abdel Fattah’s past rhetoric. Senior vice-president Adrian Cohen stated that his extremist views pose a threat to both British Jews and the wider public.
Abdel Fattah contends that some of the old messages have been misinterpreted. He mentioned that a tweet alleged to show homophobia was actually intended to ridicule such sentiments. He also cited his own experiences of persecution for advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Egypt.
Having been reunited with his 14-year-old son in Brighton after a lengthy travel ban, Abdel Fattah now faces an uncertain future as the UK grapples with the implications of his past statements and the ongoing political discourse surrounding his citizenship.
