Kmflett's Blog

The High Court found that while Palestine Action activists had engaged in a few acts that could be classified as terrorism they had not in fact passed the threshold which would mean they should be proscribed as a terrorist organisation. The then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper who took the decision has faced calls for resignation.

However on the contrary and is unfortunately too common in modern political life she has ignored the First Law of Holes is still digging. She told Sky News on 15th February 2026

Well, I followed the clear advice and recommendations, going through a serious process that the Home Office goes through, involving different agencies and police advice as well, which was very clear about the recommendation for proscription of this group.

And the court has also concluded that this is not a normal protest group, that it has found that this group has committed acts of terrorism, that this group is not simply in line with democratic values, and has promoted violence.

Cooper was pressed to reveal the advice she was given that informed her decision to pursue the ban, but did not, instead saying: “So I was given significant evidence and advice around risks of violence and risks from public safety, and that is what you take seriously.” The foreign secretary added:

“If you ignore advice that you are given about risks to public safety then you’re really not taking seriously the responsibilities of home secretary.”