David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, has emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations between London and Cairo, as he faced questions regarding the ongoing detention of British-Egyptian dual-national Alaa Abd El-Fattah in Egypt. Lammy reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to pressing Egyptian authorities for the release of Abd El-Fattah, a pro-democracy activist, who has been imprisoned since 2019.
In a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Lammy responded to concerns raised by MPs, including Labour MP Brian Leishman, about whether the UK should pause new economic partnerships with Egypt until Abd El-Fattah is freed. Leishman questioned if the government would link economic ties with Egypt to the fate of the detained British national.
“Alaa Abd El-Fattah is a dual-national and we will continue to lobby on his behalf,” Lammy assured. He reiterated that UK officials, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and himself, have raised the issue with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other senior figures in the Egyptian government.
Abd El-Fattah, 43, was sentenced to five years in prison in December 2021 on charges of spreading false news. His case has attracted international attention, particularly as his mother, Laila Soueif, continues a hunger strike in protest of his continued detention. The “Free Alaa” campaign has called for his immediate release, noting that he should have been freed in September 2024, according to the terms of his sentence.
Despite the government’s public commitments, some MPs have questioned the effectiveness of diplomatic pressure. Independent MP John McDonnell argued that Egypt’s government would only respond to “economic threats,” suggesting that stronger leverage, such as halting economic deals, could compel Egyptian authorities to act.
Lammy acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue due to Egypt’s strategic position in relation to the ongoing Gaza conflict but stressed that the UK’s approach to Abd El-Fattah’s case remains serious. He also noted that the British government has been actively engaging with Egyptian officials to resolve the matter.
The UK government’s stance was also challenged by the SNP’s Brendan O’Hara, who raised concerns about the perceived unequal treatment of British nationals detained abroad, especially in comparison to citizens of other countries. Lammy defended the efforts of the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), highlighting the work of UK diplomats and officials in advocating for detained citizens.
Abd El-Fattah’s family has repeatedly voiced frustration with the UK’s handling of the situation. His sister, Mona Seif, has expressed concerns that Egypt may exploit the geopolitical context of the Gaza conflict to further its own interests in negotiations with the UK. She criticized the UK for continuing to strengthen its relationship with Egypt, despite what she described as the Egyptian government’s disregard for human rights violations against her brother.
As the UK continues to push for Abd El-Fattah’s release, the case remains a significant point of contention in the UK’s diplomatic relations with Egypt.
