British PM criticized for welcoming home freed activist over controversial posts
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing criticism after hosting at his home a recently released Egyptian prisoner who has allegedly shared violent and anti-Semitic language on his social media in the past.
Successive British governments have pressed for the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a dual British-Egyptian national who spent most of the last 14 years behind bars in Egypt.
He was released from prison in September following a pardon from Egypt’s president, but remains in the country due to a travel ban that was recently lifted, allowing him to return to the UK on Friday.
Starmer celebrated Abdel Fattah’s return, saying he was “delighted” to have the activist reunited with his family in Britain.
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Pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd al-Fattah after receiving a presidential pardon. (AP)
Meanwhile, a senior member of the opposition Conservative Party criticized Starmer for his “personal, public support” for Abdel Fattah.
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor Robert Jenrick wanted to know whether Starmer was aware of Abdel Fattah’s past social media posts in which he allegedly supported killing Zionists and police. Jenrick also demanded Starmer condemn Abdel Fattah’s remarks and withdraw his “unadulterated support” for the activist.
“No one should be imprisoned arbitrarily or for peaceful dissent,” Jenrick wrote. “But the prime minister should not abandon the authority of his office behind someone whose words are tinged with the language of racism and bloodshed.”
Jenrick, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform England leader Nigel Farage called for Abdel Fattah’s British citizenship to be revoked and deported.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer celebrated the return of Alaa Abd al-Fattah, saying he was “delighted” to have the activist reunited with his family in Britain. ((Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images))
The British government later clarified that it was unaware of the “disgusting” social media posts when the prime minister made his welcome statement.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement that pressing for Abdel Fattah’s release was a “long-standing priority” of governments led by both major parties, but that it did not mean approval of his social media posts.
“The government condemns Mr. Al-Fattah’s historic tweets and considers them disgusting,” the statement said.
Abdel Fattah issued an “unequivocal apology” on Sunday, describing his past comments as “expressions of a young man’s anger” amid regional crises and police brutality in Egypt.
The UK government said it thought Alaa Abd al-Fattah’s social media posts were “disgusting”. (pictured via Andrew Aitchison/Getty Images)
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Abdel Fattah’s family in England claimed that he spent most of the last 14 years behind bars due to his opposition to the government of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sissi.
His mother, Laila Soueif, 69, was on a 10-month hunger strike to pressure British authorities to do more to secure her son’s freedom.
Shortly after Abd al-Fattah arrived at London Heathrow Airport, critics began circulating his past social media posts. Abdel Fattah had previously said the comments were taken out of context and were part of a “private conversation” that took place during Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to The Times of London.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
