Palestine Action proscription unlawful

The proscription of Palestine Action has been ruled unlawful by the High Court.

The group remains banned for now, to allow for further legal arguments and to give the government time to consider an appeal. This means it is still a criminal offence to show support for Palestine Action or take part in its activities.

The judges ruled that while Palestine Action uses criminality to promote its aims, its activities had not crossed the line to make it a terrorist organisation.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has already said that the government will appeal the decision. The decision to proscribe Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation was made by former home secretary Yvette Cooper.

Since the ban came into effect, more than 2,000 people have been arrested and 170 have been charged with allegedly showing support for the group.

In response to the ruling, head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said: “Policing’s role is to enforce the law, and to do so without fear or favour, as the public would expect.

“Proscription is, and always has been, a matter for the government.

“Following today’s judgment, the Home Secretary has stated she intends to lodge an appeal.

“The court has ordered that the proscription order remains in force until further order of the court.

“We recognise this is an unusual set of circumstances, and until further order by the court, Counter Terrorism Policing will approach enforcement pragmatically and proportionately, and will continue to work with forces across the country.”