Keir Starmer is facing criticism after he welcomed British‑Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah back to the UK, following the circulation of historic social media posts from around 2010 that have been labelled "abhorrent." The Foreign Office condemned the posts while confirming Abdel Fattah is a British citizen. Conservative shadow minister Robert Jenrick demanded Starmer retract his comment and consider revoking Abdel Fattah's citizenship and deportation. Abdel Fattah was detained in 2019, sentenced in 2021, later pardoned by Egypt's president, and has been the focus of international human rights campaigns.
Starmer Faces Backlash After 'Abhorrent' Historic Posts by British‑Egyptian Activist Resurface
Alaa Abdel Fattah only got back to the UK a few days ago after years detention in Egypt (Mohamed EL-RAAI)(Mohamed EL-RAAI/AFP/AFP)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under intense scrutiny after historic social media posts by British‑Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah resurfaced days after the activist returned to the United Kingdom following his release from detention in Egypt.
Starmer had posted on X that he was "delighted" Abdel Fattah had been reunited with his family. Within hours, archived posts dating to around 2010 — described by critics and officials as calling for violence against Zionists and police — prompted condemnation and demands for action from opposition politicians.
Political Reaction
The Foreign Office reaffirmed that Abdel Fattah is a British citizen and said it had long prioritised efforts to secure his release. In a statement the government said it "condemns Mr El‑Fattah's historic tweets and considers them to be abhorrent."
"Mr El‑Fattah is a British citizen. It has been a long‑standing priority under successive governments to work for his release from detention, and to see him reunited with his family in the UK. The Government condemns Mr El‑Fattah's historic tweets and considers them to be abhorrent."
Shadow justice minister Robert Jenrick of the Conservative Party urged Starmer to retract his message of "delight" and called for the government to explore revoking Abdel Fattah's citizenship and pursuing deportation proceedings if he is judged an extremist.
Background
Alaa Abdel Fattah was a prominent voice in Egypt's 2011 Arab Spring uprising and a well‑known critic of the Egyptian authorities. He was detained in September 2019 and in December 2021 was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news.
UN investigators described his detention as a breach of international law, and international campaigns — including protests and petitions — had pressed for his release. Abdel Fattah and his family also undertook hunger strikes; his mother staged a prolonged hunger strike, and he himself undertook one while incarcerated earlier this year.
He was later pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel‑Fattah el‑Sisi, Egypt lifted a travel ban, and Abdel Fattah returned to the UK after many years abroad.
What Comes Next
The resurfacing of decade‑old posts has put the government on the defensive: ministers must balance defending a citizen's rights and the long diplomatic effort to secure his release against political pressure and concerns about historic statements. Calls for immediate revocation of citizenship are legally complex and would require formal government proceedings.
Observers note the episode raises broader questions about how past social media activity should affect public reception of returning activists and the pace at which political leaders respond when new information emerges.
mp/jj/jh
