Richard Burgon’s warning of ‘draconian consequences’ of Palestine Action in focus as Sally Rooney’s books are pulled
“We’ve had the ridiculous arrests of thousands for simply holding a sign. And now this against one of the best writers of her generation. This ban needs to be overturned.”
When Labour MP Richard Burgon voted against proscribing Palestine Action in July 2025, he warned of the “draconian consequences” the ban could have.
Over a year later, news that Irish novelist Sally Rooney has been forced to withdraw her books from sale in the UK, amid concerns over the legal implications of her support for the group, has brought those warnings into focus.
“When I voted against proscribing Palestine Action, I warned there could be so many draconian consequences,” Burgon wrote on X this week. “We’ve had the ridiculous arrests of thousands for simply holding a sign. And now this against one of the best writers of her generation. This ban needs to be overturned.”
Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People, has said she can no longer receive royalties from UK book sales because of her public support for the direct-action group.
Her case has intensified concerns about the far-reaching implications of the proscription and its potential chilling effect on freedom of expression.
The government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 in July 2025. The ban made membership of, or support for the group, a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Thousands of people have since been arrested for allegedly expressing support for the organisation.
Following the proscription, Rooney pledged to use proceeds from her work to financially support Palestine Action. A legal expert warned Rooney could face prosecution for expressing her views at a UK book festival. In September 2025, she cancelled a trip to London to accept a Sky Arts Award for literature amid fears she could be arrested.
Now, her publisher Faber has said it cannot sell her novels in the UK because the ban “has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work.”
Rooney said the decision to withdraw her books from sale had been made “with my full agreement”.
The prospect of a world-renowned novelist being unable to sell her books in the UK because of her political position has brought renewed attention to the consequences Burgon warned about when the ban was introduced.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori said Rooney’s situation marked “a new low in the escalating assault on free speech caused by the proscription of Palestine Action”.
“A world-renowned author fearing arrest and being forced to remove her books from our bookstores exposes the chilling consequences of this authoritarian law, which has been used to make over 3,700 arrests for simply holding seven-word signs,” she said.
Burgon’s comments come amid wider calls for Labour figures to challenge the proscription. At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool last month, around 200 people gathered outside holding signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
The news about Rooney has prompted further calls to overturn the ban, with critics arguing that its consequences extend beyond the direct actions of Palestine Action to affect political expression, cultural activity and the livelihoods of those who support the group.
As one commenter wrote in response to Richard Burgon’s post:
“Hi @andyburnham why keep Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper’s legacy policy in place that has seen over 3,600 arrested for non violent protest? Labour ought to be better than this.”
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