Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to secure the release of imprisoned British citizen Alaa Abd el-Fattah ahead of COP27 in Egypt.

Since his sentencing in December 2021, FCDO officials have consistently called on the Egyptian Government urgently to grant consular access to Alaa Abdel Fattah. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad and the former Foreign Secretary also raised the case with Foreign Minister Shoukry during his visit to London in July. The former Prime Minister raised the case with President Sisi during a call on 25 August, expressing his hope for swift and positive progress. We continue to support the family of Alaa Abdel Fattah.