Yvette Cooper initiates a probe into “serious information lapses” following the oversight of “abhorrent” social media posts by recently released activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah.
The UK Foreign Secretary revealed that high-ranking officials were unaware of Mr. El-Fattah’s online remarks advocating violence against Zionists and law enforcement officers. El-Fattah entered the UK on Boxing Day after his travel ban was lifted post his release from prison.
Both Yvette Cooper and PM Keir Starmer expressed approval of his arrival but faced criticism as old tweets from 2010 resurfaced. Cooper, addressing Dame Emily Thornberry of the Foreign Affairs Committee, admitted the existing procedures for due diligence were inadequate in this case. She condemned the tweets and emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the department’s systems responsible for handling such high-profile cases.
Mr. El-Fattah, who acquired UK citizenship during Boris Johnson’s tenure, had faced charges of disseminating false information, a violation of international law as per UN investigators. Despite calls from the Conservative and Labour parties to revoke his citizenship, there are currently no plans to do so.
El-Fattah has apologized for his past comments, acknowledging their hurtful nature and attributing them to his emotions during times of regional turmoil. The UK government defended its decision to allow his return, emphasizing its commitment to individual freedoms while condemning the offensive nature of the historic posts.
Officials maintain that there are no legal grounds to strip El-Fattah of his citizenship, citing precedents that reserve such actions for cases involving fraud or severe criminal activities.