News

High Court strikes down Palestine Action ‘terror’ ban

Published

5 months ago

February 13, 2026

Welsh arrests now deemed unlawful as judges rule proscription breached human rights

THE High Court has ruled that the UK Government acted unlawfully when it branded protest group Palestine Action a terrorist organisation – a decision that directly affects dozens of arrests made in Wales.

In a landmark judgement delivered on Thursday (Feb 13) at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, judges said the ban represented a disproportionate attack on the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.

The ruling means arrests made under the proscription since last summer could now be unlawful.

Campaigners say at least 34 people were detained in Wales alone.

Palestine Action had been banned under the Terrorism Act 2000 in July 2025, making it a criminal offence to show support for the group. The move marked the first time a non-violent civil disobedience organisation focused on property damage – rather than violence against people – had been classified alongside terrorist groups.

Welsh protesters affected

Demonstrations took place across Wales as part of the nationwide “Lift the Ban” campaign organised by Defend Our Juries.

Silent vigils and placard protests were held in both Cardiff and Swansea.

Campaign figures show:

• 13 arrests outside BBC Wales headquarters last July
• 12 more during November protests in Cardiff
• Nine detained on the steps of the Senedd Cymru

Across the UK, nearly 3,000 people were arrested, including clergy, teachers and pensioners.

Court criticism of Home Office

The case was brought by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori.

After a three-day judicial review, judges Dame Victoria Sharp, Jonathan Swift and Karen Steyn found the Home Office had failed to properly consult the group and had not followed its own proportionality rules.

They ruled the ban breached Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights – protections covering freedom of expression and assembly.

In a statement, Ammori said:
“This is a monumental victory both for our fundamental freedoms here in Britain and for the Palestinian people.”

A Defend Our Juries spokesperson added:
“Branding peaceful protest as terrorism is something you expect from dictatorships, not democracies.”

Border links to Wales

The issue has particular relevance locally.

Palestine Action has frequently targeted sites near the Welsh border, including facilities run by Elbit Systems at Filton and Aztec West, less than thirty miles from Cardiff.

Activists allege the company supplies drones and equipment used in Gaza.

Six protesters were recently acquitted by a jury following damage at the Filton site, arguing their actions were intended to prevent greater harm overseas.

That proximity has drawn many Welsh campaigners into demonstrations, with protests spilling into Wales amid wider concerns over UK arms exports.

Appeal pending

The Government has been granted time to appeal.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said ministers were “disappointed” and would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

The quashing of the ban has therefore been temporarily paused.

Legal experts warn that while the judgement casts doubt on earlier arrests, individuals may still need separate legal action to clear records or seek compensation.

Wider implications

Civil liberties groups including Amnesty International had warned the proscription risked setting a precedent for using anti-terror laws against non-violent movements such as climate activists.

For many in Wales, the ruling is seen as a reaffirmation of the right to protest.

One Cardiff campaigner said:
“This was never about supporting violence. It was about the right to stand up and speak out.”

With tensions over Gaza continuing and further demonstrations planned, Thursday’s decision is likely to reignite debate over the limits of protest — and how far the state can go to suppress dissent.

For now, however, activists say the High Court has drawn a clear line.

Peaceful protest, judges ruled, is not terrorism.

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

11 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

11 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

12 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.