TV host accuses British ambassador of previously working for UK intel

Controversial TV host Ahmed Moussa accused British Ambassador John Casson of working against Egypt and alleged that he had previously held a position in British intelligence services, in Tuesday’s episode of his show “‘Ala Mas’ouleyety” (My Responsibility) on privately owned channel Sada al-Balad.

Moussa, known for his confrontational style, addressed his comments about Casson to newly appointed British Prime Minister Theresa May telling her that Casson is a liar. He warned her that his reports are unreliable because he was appointed by her predecessor David Cameron whose appointees he says cannot be trusted. He goes on to implore the prime minister to come in a disguise and see the stability of situation in Sharm El Sheikh for herself.

Moussa’s comments come at a time where rhetoric about foreign plots are commonplace in the public discourse of the country, and are often blamed for a series of events that have harmed Egypt’s reputation internationally, including the Russian plane crash and the killing of Giulio Regeni. Just this week, the partisan Al Wafd newspaper accused 90 foreign organizations in Egypt of working for foreign intelligence agencies.

Britain suspended all flights to Sharm El Sheikh following the downing of a Russian plane shortly after it took off from the resort town’s airport in October last year killing all 224 people on board.  Russia and Germany followed suit, suspending flights to all coastal cities on the Red Sea.

A British parliamentary delegation visited the resort town at the end of July in what was said to be a move in preparation for the resumption of direct flights, but so far there has been no confirmation on if and when this will happen.

The ambassador raised ire in Egypt, following a controversial post on Twitter last year, a hashtag calling for his expulsion from the country became one of the top trending topics on the social media site.