Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry Two tier Keir
Jan 1, 2026
Nina Power, a philosopher known for her insights into culture and politics, dives into the controversial case of Alaa Abd El Fattah and the implications for free speech in the UK. They discuss the UK government's role in securing his release, the backlash over resurfacing social media posts, and double standards in prosecutions highlighted by current political figures. Power critiques the inconsistency in media focus on different kinds of speech, exploring nationalism, celebrity advocacy, and the nuances of today's political landscape.
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Government Double Standard On Online Speech
- Alaa Abd El Fattah was granted British citizenship and brought to the UK after being jailed in Egypt for social-media posts.
- The government's celebration contrasted with domestic prosecutions for far milder online speech, revealing a double standard.
Inconsistent Enforcement Of Speech Laws
- Many people in the UK have been arrested or punished for relatively mild social-media posts, while harsher historical posts by Abd El Fattah received a softer response.
- This raises questions about consistency in applying rules against threats versus offensive speech.
Lucy Connolly's Punitive Twitter Case
- Louise Perry recounts Lucy Connolly's case where an angry tweet after a murder led to severe legal consequences and a guilty plea.
- Connolly accepted a plea after being misled and received a harsh sentence with no early release.