Sixteen held as police press ahead despite ongoing legal dispute

SIXTEEN protesters have been arrested outside New Scotland Yard in London after holding placards expressing support for Palestine Action, as the Metropolitan Police Service continues to enforce controversial powers under terrorism legislation.

The demonstrators, described by campaign group Defend Our Juries as peaceful, were sitting outside the Met’s headquarters holding signs reading: “I oppose genocide – I support Palestine Action.”

The arrests come just days after the force confirmed it would resume enforcement action, reversing an earlier position taken following a February ruling by the High Court which found the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful.

Policy reversal

In the wake of that ruling, the Met had stated it would pause arrests and instead “focus on gathering evidence,” describing that approach as “the most proportionate” while awaiting further legal clarity.

However, earlier this week the force confirmed it would resume arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000, citing the need to provide clear guidance to officers and enforce the law as it currently stands.

The Government has since been granted permission to appeal the High Court decision, with the case due to be heard at the Court of Appeal later this month.

Welsh protesters involved

There is also a clear Welsh dimension to the protests, with campaigners from Pembrokeshire and across Wales regularly travelling to London to take part in demonstrations linked to Palestine Action.

The Herald understands that Welsh protesters have already been arrested at previous events prior to the High Court ruling, raising concerns locally about the use of terrorism legislation against those attending peaceful protests.

The latest arrests are therefore likely to resonate in west Wales, where opposition to the policing approach has been growing among activists and community groups.

Legal and political criticism

The move has drawn criticism from campaigners and legal figures. Law firm Hodge Jones & Allen has argued that such arrests may be unlawful, given the High Court’s findings.

Critics say the situation has created a legal grey area, with police continuing to enforce legislation that has already been ruled unlawful but remains in effect pending appeal.

Labour MP Diane Abbott previously described the use of terrorism powers in such cases as “an abuse of power to silence opinions [the police] want to suppress.”

Protesters speak out

Among those taking part was Árainn Hawker, 54, from Somerset, who said: “The courts have ruled that this proscription is illegal… yet people are still being arrested under it. That is an affront to justice.”

Another protester, who gave their name as Ams, said they believed the arrests were intended to deter further demonstrations, adding: “I refuse to be intimidated and I refuse to comply with this authoritarian overreach.”

Further protests planned

Defend Our Juries has announced plans for a further mass protest in Trafalgar Square on April 11, as part of its ongoing “Lift the Ban” campaign.

Despite the backlash, the Metropolitan Police Service has indicated it will continue enforcing the law pending the outcome of the appeal, meaning further arrests are likely in the coming weeks.

A POLICE officer discharged a firearm during an incident in Milford Haven on Saturday evening (March 28), prompting an investigation and referral to the police watchdog.

Dyfed-Powys Police were called to reports of disorder at Bunkers Hill at around 5:45pm, where an individual was believed to be in possession of a knife. Armed officers were deployed to the scene.

During the incident, at 6:32pm, a single shot was fired by an officer. Police have confirmed that the firearm was not directed at any person and that no injuries were reported.

The circumstances leading up to the discharge of the firearm have not yet been confirmed.

When Herald reporters attended Bunkers Hill after 2:00pm on Sunday (March 29), a significant police presence remained in the area. Several police vehicles were at the scene, with officers seen going in and out and carrying out checks around the rear of a large block of flats as enquiries continued.

The force has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which will determine whether the matter should be investigated independently or referred back to the force.

Deputy Chief Constable Gary Phillips said: “We have initiated a prompt investigation into the circumstances that led to the firearms being discharged, and have referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“We will work with them as we continue to establish the circumstances leading up to the discharge.”

A police presence remains at Bunkers Hill as enquiries continue.

BASSETTS Motor Group has donated an electric van to support the vital work of Wales Air Ambulance, providing a major boost to the charity’s day-to-day fundraising operations.

The South West Wales-based company has gifted a Citroën e-Berlingo for use until the end of the year — marking the first time the business has made a significant gift in kind to the charity.

Staff from Bassetts recently visited the charity’s headquarters in Dafen to hand over the vehicle, where they met with a medic and were given an insight into the critical care delivered by the service, including a tour of a rapid response car.

Ashley White, of Bassetts Motor Group, said: “Being a South West Wales-based business, we’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that Wales Air Ambulance does.

“We knew the charity relies heavily on fundraising and donations, so when we were looking for a cause to support, it felt like a natural choice.”

The van has been branded with the charity’s logo and information on how the public can support its lifesaving lottery.

Explaining the choice of vehicle, Ashley added: “We’re strong advocates of electric vehicles. Getting people behind the wheel often changes perceptions and helps overcome misconceptions about going electric.

“Citroën offered us a deal that made it possible for us to provide the van in this way, and we felt it would be perfectly suited to the charity’s fundraising needs.”

The Wales Air Ambulance delivers consultant-led emergency care across the country, bringing hospital-level treatment directly to patients and, where necessary, transferring them swiftly to the most appropriate specialist centres. This approach can save critical time and significantly improve survival and recovery outcomes.

The service operates through a unique partnership between the charity and the NHS, with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service providing highly skilled consultants and critical care practitioners who work onboard its aircraft and rapid response vehicles.

As a pan-Wales service, its crews cover the entire country, delivering emergency care wherever it is needed.

Nina Rice, Head of Fundraising High Value Partnerships at Wales Air Ambulance, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Bassetts Motor Group for this generous gift in kind.

“The use of the electric vehicle will make a real difference to our fundraising efforts, helping us reach more communities and raise vital funds.

“As a local company, Bassetts understands just how important our service is to people across Wales. This support will directly help us continue our lifesaving work.”

The charity must raise £13 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

For more information, visit the Bassetts Motor Group website.