UK's Starmer under fire over Egyptian activist's 'abhorrent' posts / Photo: Mohamed EL-RAAI - AFP
-
Serbia's students gather signatures for early elections goal
-
Mahrez penalty takes Algeria through to Cup of Nations last 16
-
Third 'Avatar' film stays atop N. American box office rankings
-
Somaliland recognition prompts celebrations, condemnation
-
Trump says Zelensky and Putin 'serious' in war talks sprint
-
UK's Starmer under fire over Egyptian activist's 'abhorrent' posts
-
Guinea junta chief headed for victory in presidential vote
-
Central African Republic president tipped to win third term
-
Spurs deliver big win for Frank as Calvert-Lewin denies Sunderland
-
Shiffrin produces her 'best, best run' to extend slalom streak
-
Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in 'Battle of the Sexes'
-
Trump says has 'productive' talks with Putin before Zelensky meet
-
Calvert-Lewin stretches hot streak as Leeds hold Sunderland
-
Nkunku fires Milan top of Serie A, Hojlund keeps Napoli in touch
-
Zelensky to push new Ukraine peace deal in meeting with Trump
-
Liverpool's set-piece problems a 'killer' - Van Dijk
-
Mozambique end 39-year wait for first AFCON victory
-
The film that created the Bardot 'sex kitten' myth
-
Former England cricket boss Morris dies aged 62
-
Brigitte Bardot on Muslims, men and 'horrible' humanity
-
Nkunku breaks Serie A goal duck to fire AC Milan top
-
Hakimi to feature in Morocco's final AFCON group game
-
Bardot: the screen goddess who gave it all up
-
Central African Republic president seeks third term in election
-
France's screen siren Brigitte Bardot dies at 91
-
French 'legend' Brigitte Bardot dead at 91
-
French legend Brigitte Bardot dead at 91: foundation
-
Zelensky looks to close out Ukraine plan in meeting with Trump
-
Multicultural UK town bids to turn page on troubled past
-
'Unfair election': young voters absent from Myanmar polls
-
Master Lock Comanche wins Sydney-Hobart ocean race for fifth time
-
Bulgaria adopts euro amid fear and uncertainty
-
Giannis triumphant in NBA return as Spurs win streak ends
-
Texans reach NFL playoffs and Ravens win to stay in hunt
-
How company bets on bitcoin can backfire
-
Touadera on path to third presidential term as Central African Republic votes
-
'Acoustic hazard': Noise complaints spark Vietnam pickleball wars
-
Iraqis cover soil with clay to curb sandstorms
-
Australia's Head backs struggling opening partner Weatherald
-
'Make emitters responsible': Thailand's clean air activists
-
Zelensky looks to close out Ukraine peace deal at Trump meet
-
MCG curator in 'state of shock' after Ashes Test carnage
-
Texans edge Chargers to reach NFL playoffs
-
Osimhen and Mane score as Nigeria win to qualify, Senegal draw
-
Osimhen stars as Nigeria survive Tunisia rally to reach second round
-
How Myanmar's junta-run vote works, and why it might not
-
Zelensky talks with allies en route to US as Russia pummels Ukraine
-
Watkins wants to sicken Arsenal-supporting family
-
Arsenal hold off surging Man City, Villa as Wirtz ends drought
-
Late penalty miss denies Uganda AFCON win against Tanzania
NYSE - LSE
UK's Starmer under fire over Egyptian activist's 'abhorrent' posts
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was under pressure Sunday after "abhorrent" social media posts by a British-Egyptian activist came to light days after he welcomed his return to the country.
Alaa Abdel Fattah only got back to the UK a few days ago after years of diplomatic efforts by London to secure his release from detention in Egypt.
But after old social posts emerged of him calling for violence against Zionists and the police, the opposition conservatives called Sunday for him to be stripped of his citizenship and deported to Egypt.
Posting on X Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had said he was "delighted" Abdel Fattah had been reunited with his loved ones in the UK, after Egypt lifted its travel ban.
Now Starmer is facing calls to retract those comments over the content of the activist's posts, which date back to 2010.
A Foreign Office statement said Sunday: "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 opposition Conservatives, has called for El-Fattah to be stripped of his citizenship.
"If the Prime Minister really was unaware that El Fattah was an extremist, he should immediately retract his comments expressing 'delight' at his arrival and begin proceedings to revoke his citizenship and deport him," Jenrick said on X.
Abdel Fattah was a leading voice in Egypt's 2011 Arab Spring uprising.
He was detained in Egypt in September 2019, and in December 2021 was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news.
His imprisonment was branded a breach of international law by UN investigators and international campaigns were launched to get him freed.
His mother went on a long-running hunger strike as part of her efforts to secure his release.
Abdel Fattah himself went on hunger strike this March whilst behind bars and was later released after being pardoned by Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi.
F.Wilson--AT
