Labour MP Stella Creasy has called on the government to abolish the offence of “recklessly expressing support for a proscribed organisation”, arguing that the current law is unsustainable and risks diluting the meaning of terrorism. Speaking during a Commons urgent question on Monday, Creasy highlighted the arrest of nearly 900 people in London over the weekend for protesting against the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
Creasy clarified that she does not support Palestine Action and acknowledged the “strong” case against the group due to its use of violence. However, she stressed that there is a difference between those using violence and those protesting the proscription itself. “If we don’t get right the response, if we continue to arrest those in that second category, the seriousness the term terrorism risks losing its meaning,” she said.
The MP urged police to focus on actual members of Palestine Action rather than individuals expressing support. She suggested that if the government is unwilling to scrap the offence, it should at least issue guidance to police on when to apply it. In response, Security Minister Dan Jarvis cited independent reviewer Jonathan Hall KC, who argued that the law is necessary to prevent the group’s growth and operation.
Separately, Labour MPs have until Thursday to gather nominations for the deputy leadership race, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ruling herself out. Creasy has not ruled out standing. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly told a private meeting of Labour MPs that the government will “fight with everything we’ve got” against Nigel Farage, Robert Jenrick, and Kemi Badenoch.
