MPs back proscribing direct action group Palestine Action as terror organisation
Legislation passed in the Commons on Wednesday, as MPs voted 385 to 26, majority 359 in favour of proscribing the group under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The motion is expected to be debated and voted on by the House of Lords on Thursday before it becomes law.
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The National
17 minutes ago
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Peers back call to ban Palestine Action under terror laws
Green peer Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb led arguments against proscribing Palestine Action, after MPs voted the previous day to ban the group. She accused the UK Government of being a 'little bit sneaky' by grouping the organisation in with Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement, which were banned under the same order. Baroness Jones said Palestine Action's actions were not of the 'same calibre of evil' as the two other groups, noting that the group's blockades on buildings and raids did not represent a 'pattern of serious violence'. Her motion of "regret", which criticised the inclusion of Palestine Action in the motion, was voted down and the original motion approving the Government's proscription order was passed on the nod. Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint set out the UK Government's reasons for the proscription order to the upper house, outlining the group's history of causing property damage and accused members of committing violent crimes. Also speaking against the Government motion was Lord Hain, former Northern Ireland secretary, who compared Palestine Action with the suffragettes and Nelson Mandela (below), contrasting their actions with those of 'real terrorists' like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. A number of other peers, including from the Labour benches, raised concerns about the impact of freedom of speech, because expressing support for the group or wearing clothes with the group's branding can result in a prison sentence. A person found to be a member of the group or a person who expresses support for it faces a 14-year jail sentence. Someone wearing Palestine Action-branded clothing could face a six-month sentence or a £5000 fine. Baroness Jones said: "There's a long and noble tradition of the use of direct action by protest movements, that includes the suffragettes. READ MORE: Former government lawyer to defy Palestine Action ban in Parliament Square protest
