Apologies and Deportation Calls: Alaa Abd El Fattah Faces UK Backlash

Mon Dec 29 2025 16:18:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Alaa Abd El Fattah, a British-Egyptian democracy activist, has issued an apology for past tweets as UK leaders call for his potential deportation. The controversial resurfaced messages include violent sentiments regarding various groups, raising questions about his UK citizenship.

British-Egyptian democracy activist Alaa Abd El Fattah has apologised for older tweets that have resurfaced, which include violent rhetoric against Zionists and police. As calls grow for his deportation following his arrival in the UK after being freed from an Egyptian prison, prominent UK politicians debate the implications for his citizenship. Abd El Fattah acknowledges the hurtfulness of his past comments but argues some were taken out of context.

Alaa Abd El Fattah, a British-Egyptian democracy activist, has apologised for several of his old tweets that have resurfaced, as calls grow for him to be deported from the UK days after he arrived following his release from an Egyptian jail.

Conservative leaders and members from Reform UK are urging the home secretary to examine if Abd El Fattah, a dual national, can be removed from the UK after social media messages revealed him calling for the killing of Zionists and police.

Some senior Labour MPs are also advocating for the revocation of his citizenship. After reviewing the tweets, Abd El Fattah expressed, I do understand how shocking and hurtful they are, and for that I unequivocally apologise. He added: I am shaken that, just as I am being reunited with my family for the first time in 12 years, several historic tweets of mine have been republished and used to question and attack my integrity and values, escalating to calls for the revocation of my citizenship.

Abd El Fattah stated he takes accusations of antisemitism seriously, arguing many posts were completely twisted out of their meaning. Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism for expressing delight at Abd El Fattah's arrival in the UK without awareness of these messages.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have called for a review of Abd El Fattah's citizenship, citing his past comments as disgusting and abhorrent. Farage stated in a letter to the home secretary, Anyone who possesses racist and anti-British views such as those of Mr El-Fattah should not be allowed into the UK.

Despite acknowledging that his comments were shocking, Abd El Fattah maintains that some statements have been misinterpreted. He pointed out that a tweet suggesting he ridiculed homophobia was taken out of context.

Abd El Fattah rose to fame during the 2011 uprising in Egypt but has spent over a decade in jail for various political activities. His release was preceded by efforts from his family and the British government, emphasizing the complexities surrounding his citizenship amidst a backdrop of conflicting political views.