THE Prime Minister has met the mother of a jailed pro-democracy activist, weeks after she criticised him for not responding to her.

Laila Soueif, 68, has been on hunger strike for 140 days calling for the release of her British-Egyptian son Alaa Abd el-Fattah.

PM Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday: “Having met Laila Soueif this week, my message is clear.

“I will do all that I can to secure the release of her son Alaa Abd el-Fattah and reunite him with his family.”

Mr Fattah has been detained in Egypt since September 29 2019 and was sentenced to five years in prison after being accused of spreading false news in December 2021.

More than 50 cross-party MPs and peers sent a letter to Sir Keir last month expressing concern about Ms Soueif’s health and urging the Prime Minister to speak to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi directly by phone or in person.

Amnesty UK’s Eilidh Macpherson said: “We are delighted that the Prime Minister met with Laila and has committed to securing the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah and we appeal for increased and urgent action.”