Sensemaker Why are Brits losing their citizenship?
Jan 8, 2026
The podcast delves into the heated debate over citizenship revocations in the UK. It spotlights British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, whose potential citizenship stripping has sparked political outrage. Meanwhile, Shamima Begum fights to reclaim her citizenship after joining Islamic State. Experts discuss the vague criteria used for such decisions and the risks they pose to migrants and activists. With cases on the rise since 2010, this discussion highlights the legal and ethical implications of citizenship deprivation.
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Activist's Return Sparks Controversy
- Alaa Abd El-Fattah is a dual British-Egyptian activist who returned to the UK after 12 years of imprisonment in Egypt.
- His historic social media posts sparked calls to revoke his citizenship despite his activism and recent release.
Prime Minister's Quick Reversal
- Keir Starmer publicly celebrated Alaa Abd El-Fattah's return and reunion with family.
- He later condemned resurfaced tweets and said he had been unaware of them.
Begum Case Tests Legal Limits
- Shamima Begum left the UK as a child to join ISIS and had her British citizenship revoked in 2019.
- The Home Office argued she was eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship so revocation would not cause statelessness.