London’s Metropolitan Police Service says officers will resume arresting people who publicly support Palestine Action, reversing a position adopted after a recent court ruling. Get today's headlines by email The force had previously said it would stop making arrests under terrorism legislation after a High Court judgment found the government’s ban on the direct action group unlawful. Police reverse earlier positionFollowing that decision, police said they would instead collect evidence for possible prosecutions at a later stage. However, on Wednesday the force said the earlier statement was only a temporary stance and that its enforcement approach had now been revised. Deputy assistant commissioner James Harman said the legal ban on the group remains in force while the government challenges the ruling. Ban remains during government appealHarman said the court confirmed that its judgment would not take effect until the appeal process concludes, which could take several months. “That means it is still a criminal offence to support Palestine Action,” he said. He added that police must enforce existing law regardless of how the legal process may eventually unfold. The government’s appeal, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is scheduled to be heard at the Court of Appeal of England and Wales on 28 and 29 April. Until that hearing is completed, the organisation remains banned under the Terrorism Act 2000. Harman said the police had initially taken a cautious approach immediately after the High Court ruling because demonstrations outside the court included open displays of support for the group and the outcome of any appeal was not yet clear. After reviewing the situation, the force concluded that it must continue to enforce the existing ban while it remains legally in place. Protest group challenges arrestsCampaign group Defend Our Juries, which has organised demonstrations linked to Palestine Action, recently wrote to Met commissioner Mark Rowley about the police approach. The organisation said a woman had been arrested in London on 15 March for holding a sign stating she opposed genocide and supported Palestine Action. Defend Our Juries previously said it planned a mass vigil in London on 11 April. More than 2,500 people have been arrested in connection with alleged support for the group during protests. Hunger-strike claims raisedSeparately, several protesters associated with Palestine Action who staged hunger strikes while awaiting trial said they were considering legal action against prison authorities. At a press conference in London, activists alleged medical negligence during their protests. Heba Muraisi said she spent 73 days on hunger strike and claimed she did not receive electrolytes and was given vitamins only after a month. Qesser Zuhrah said she went without electrolytes for 20 days and that they were later withdrawn after she collapsed. Another protester, Kamran Ahmed, said he continues to experience chest pain and breathing problems following his 66-day hunger strike. Others reported neurological symptoms. A government spokesperson rejected the allegations of medical negligence. Officials said prisoners were monitored according to established policy, including regular health checks, heart monitoring and blood tests, and were taken to hospital if medical staff considered it necessary. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 March 2026
View full article
Create an account or sign in to comment