UK-Politics Starmer Slammed in Row Over Palestine Action Ban

[CharlieH]

 

Baroness Chakrabarti said the proscription of the group risks exacerbating community tensions, and campaigners warned the ban was a threat to freedom of speech

 

 

Sir Keir Starmer is facing intense backlash after the arrest of hundreds during a protest over Palestine Action. Critics warn he could be making a grave mistake comparable to Margaret Thatcher’s infamous poll tax debacle.

 

MPs from various parties are alarmed by the use of counterterrorism powers, arguing they're undermining the right to peaceful protest. Notably, many arrested were over 60, highlighting the protest's widespread support.

 

The Metropolitan Police confirmed 532 arrests, with 522 for displaying support for a banned group during a march in central London. Civil liberties organisations, including Amnesty International and Liberty, slammed the arrests as absurdly disproportionate, calling the terrorism laws a threat to free expression.

 

Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti warned that proscribing Palestine Action risks becoming a major blunder reminiscent of the poll tax. She noted the significant participation of older protesters, indicating deep-rooted concern. While criminal damage at military bases should be prosecuted, she argued, guilt by association only heightens community tensions.

 

Saturday's mass arrests mark the highest by the Metropolitan Police since the 1990 poll tax riot. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the police but suggested that many arrested might not fully understand the organisation they supported. Her remarks prompted demands for clarity on why Palestine Action was proscribed.

 

Headlines earlier this year claimed four members of the group inflicted around ฿30 million in damage to aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Following the arrests, Downing Street justified the ban, citing the group’s violence and acts deemed as terrorism.

 

Former Conservative cabinet minister Sir David Davis criticised the arrests as an overreach of counterterrorism laws, questioning the evidence behind banning Palestine Action. He argued authorities need more transparency about their reasoning and whether it's justifiable to arrest individuals for waving banners.

Veteran MP Diane Abbott warned the government of appearing draconian. Former Labour minister Peter Hain described the arrests as madness, arguing Palestine Action isn't equivalent to groups like al-Qaeda or Islamic State. Nonetheless, ministers assert supporters will face the full force of the law.

Police had cautioned that anyone supporting Palestine Action during the protest risked arrest. Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones reaffirmed the right to peaceful protest but insisted that Palestine Action’s violent actions led to their ban, hinting at national security issues.

 

Former prosecutor Nazir Afzal warned of the impact on court backlogs, suggesting these cases would waste court time. Amnesty's Sacha Deshmukh stressed that peaceful protest is a fundamental right and criticised the UK's broad terrorism laws. Liberty’s Sam Grant labeled the mass arrests concerning, questioning why protest is equated with terrorism.

 

Supporting or joining Palestine Action can lead to a 14-year prison term under the Terrorism Act 2000. Police state charges in some cases require higher approval.

Palestine Action's co-founder, Huda Ammori, hailed the demonstration as a historic act of defiance. She argued the arrests were unenforceable, as most detained were simply given street bail.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Independent 2025-08-11

 

[James105]

18 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Baroness Chakrabarti said the proscription of the group risks exacerbating community tensions, and campaigners warned the ban was a threat to freedom of speech

 

Leftists were warned time and time again that if they didn't support people who were cancelled for having views that they didn't like these same rules would be used against them.  Did they listen?  No.   This is a bed of leftist making, now they have to lie in it.   

[300sd]

 

[Watawattana]

13 minutes ago, 300sd said:

 

"We will die before we spell Palestine correctly!!"

[steve187]

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/08/10/15/99680caf7613d89421dd964792c715b7Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzU0OTIwNzkw-2.81217777.jpg

 

Baroness Chakrabarti said the proscription of the group risks exacerbating community tensions, and campaigners warned the ban was a threat to freedom of speech

 

 

Sir Keir Starmer is facing intense backlash after the arrest of hundreds during a protest over Palestine Action. Critics warn he could be making a grave mistake comparable to Margaret Thatcher’s infamous poll tax debacle.

 

MPs from various parties are alarmed by the use of counterterrorism powers, arguing they're undermining the right to peaceful protest. Notably, many arrested were over 60, highlighting the protest's widespread support.

 

The Metropolitan Police confirmed 532 arrests, with 522 for displaying support for a banned group during a march in central London. Civil liberties organisations, including Amnesty International and Liberty, slammed the arrests as absurdly disproportionate, calling the terrorism laws a threat to free expression.

 

Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti warned that proscribing Palestine Action risks becoming a major blunder reminiscent of the poll tax. She noted the significant participation of older protesters, indicating deep-rooted concern. While criminal damage at military bases should be prosecuted, she argued, guilt by association only heightens community tensions.

 

Saturday's mass arrests mark the highest by the Metropolitan Police since the 1990 poll tax riot. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the police but suggested that many arrested might not fully understand the organisation they supported. Her remarks prompted demands for clarity on why Palestine Action was proscribed.

 

Headlines earlier this year claimed four members of the group inflicted around ฿30 million in damage to aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Following the arrests, Downing Street justified the ban, citing the group’s violence and acts deemed as terrorism.

 

Former Conservative cabinet minister Sir David Davis criticised the arrests as an overreach of counterterrorism laws, questioning the evidence behind banning Palestine Action. He argued authorities need more transparency about their reasoning and whether it's justifiable to arrest individuals for waving banners.

Veteran MP Diane Abbott warned the government of appearing draconian. Former Labour minister Peter Hain described the arrests as madness, arguing Palestine Action isn't equivalent to groups like al-Qaeda or Islamic State. Nonetheless, ministers assert supporters will face the full force of the law.

Police had cautioned that anyone supporting Palestine Action during the protest risked arrest. Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones reaffirmed the right to peaceful protest but insisted that Palestine Action’s violent actions led to their ban, hinting at national security issues.

 

Former prosecutor Nazir Afzal warned of the impact on court backlogs, suggesting these cases would waste court time. Amnesty's Sacha Deshmukh stressed that peaceful protest is a fundamental right and criticised the UK's broad terrorism laws. Liberty’s Sam Grant labeled the mass arrests concerning, questioning why protest is equated with terrorism.

 

Supporting or joining Palestine Action can lead to a 14-year prison term under the Terrorism Act 2000. Police state charges in some cases require higher approval.

Palestine Action's co-founder, Huda Ammori, hailed the demonstration as a historic act of defiance. She argued the arrests were unenforceable, as most detained were simply given street bail.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Independent 2025-08-11

 

they only have to remove one  5 letter word from their signs  not be a arrested, so just plain stupid, but they are the unemployed and unemployable, would be good for some of those arrested to be banged up for a week or so, or a few months of community service looking after the homeless

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

1 hour ago, 300sd said:

 

Expand  

"We will die before we spell Palestine correctly!!"

 

Oh man, that's good. If I ever bothered with emojis....

[The Cyclist]

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Baroness Chakrabarti said the proscription of the group risks exacerbating community tensions,

 

Just like the Grooming gangs.

 

People should shut their mouths, for the sake of Diversity and Community cohesion.

 

Mentalism at its finest.