Detention of British journalist Sami Hamdi in the United States
Tabled 29 October 2025 by John McDonnell
That this House is gravely concerned at the detention of British journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement at San Francisco airport on 26 October 2025; fears that the apparent misuse of anti-terror legislation is a deliberate attempt by the US authorities to undermine freedom of expression; agrees with the International Federation of Journalists and the National Union of Journalists in the UK and Ireland that this arrest constitutes a serious violation of Mr Hamdi's fundamental rights and risks setting a dangerous precedent for journalists and citizens engaging in a public debate and exercising freedom of speech; and calls on the Government to work for Hamdi's immediate release.