LONDON (AP) — Britain's prime minister has come under criticism after he celebrated the return to Britain of a human rights activist who was recently released from an Egyptian prison but whose past social media posts apparently contained violent and anti-Semitic language.
Successive British governments have campaigned for the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a dual national who has been imprisoned in Egypt for much of the past 14 years. He returned to the UK on Friday after Egyptian authorities lifted a travel ban that had forced him to remain in the country since his release in September.
But a senior member of the opposition Conservative Party on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his “personal, public support” of Abd el-Fattah, with Starmer saying he was “delighted” the activist had been reunited with his family in the UK.
Jenrick also called on Starmer to condemn Abd el-Fattah's statements and withdraw his “unconditional support” for the activist.
“No one should be jailed arbitrarily or for peaceful dissent,” Jenrick wrote. “But neither should the Prime Minister trust his position to someone whose own words veer into the language of racism and bloodshed.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement that working to free Abd el-Fattah had been a “long-standing priority” of governments of both main parties. But that does not constitute an endorsement of his social media posts, the spokesman said.
“The government condemns Mr. El Fattah's historic tweets and finds them abhorrent,” the statement said, using a slightly different spelling of his last name.
Abd el-Fattah's family in Britain have vigorously campaigned for his release, arguing he has spent much of the last 14 years behind bars because of his opposition to the government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
His mother, Leila Soueif, 69, went on a 10-month hunger strike to pressure British authorities to do more for her son's release.
On Friday, Starmer paid tribute to Abd el-Fattah's family and everyone else who fought for his freedom.
“I am delighted that Alaa Abd El Fattah has returned to the UK and been reunited with his loved ones, who must be deeply relieved,” Starmer said.
But soon after Abd el-Fattah arrived at London's Heathrow Airport, critics began circulating historical posts on social media in which he appeared to endorse killings of Zionists and police.
The Times of London reported that Abd el-Fattah had previously said the comments were taken out of context and were part of a “private conversation” that took place during the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Abd el-Fattah's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and it was not immediately clear whether the messages were genuine.
