Peaceful sign-holders face uncertainty as judges weigh legality of Palestine Action ban

A HIGH-stakes court ruling due on Friday (Feb 13) could determine whether nearly three thousand people arrested for holding protest signs were unlawfully treated as terror suspects.

Judges at the Royal Courts of Justice are expected to deliver a long-awaited Judicial Review decision into the Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action, a direct-action group campaigning against arms companies linked to Israel.

Campaigners say 2,787 people were arrested across the UK for peacefully displaying placards reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

They argue those arrests – made under terrorism legislation – represent one of the most sweeping crackdowns on non-violent protest in modern British history.

Supporters from Defend Our Juries and its “Lift The Ban” campaign say they will again hold signs outside the court from 10:00am, even if that risks further arrests.

If the ban is ruled unlawful, lawyers say hundreds of pending prosecutions could collapse.

If upheld, more demonstrators could face criminal charges.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The public knows the difference between protest and terrorism. Peaceful people holding signs should never have been treated as extremists.”

Largest civil disobedience campaign

Organisers describe the protests as the largest UK-wide campaign of non-violent civil disobedience in recent years, with silent vigils held in towns and cities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

They claim counter-terrorism resources have been diverted away from genuine threats to process peaceful demonstrators instead.

Police morale has also been affected, they say, with officers placed in the position of arresting people engaged in silent protest.

Government under pressure

The proscription was introduced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who argued the group’s actions crossed the line into criminality.

But critics allege the decision followed lobbying from arms manufacturers and pro-Israel interests, a claim ministers deny.

A recent Channel 4 News documentary examined meetings between ministers and industry representatives, raising further political questions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also faced scrutiny over the Government’s stance after campaign actions targeted property linked to him in Scotland.

Rights concerns

Human rights organisations say the case could set an important precedent for the future of protest laws.

Amnesty International UK warned the ban marked “a substantial departure” from how protest movements are normally handled, while Liberty argued counter-terror powers were historically intended for groups using violence against people.

United Nations experts have also raised concerns that criminalising peaceful assembly risks putting the UK “out of step” with other democracies.

Legal battle

The Judicial Review challenge, brought by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, was granted four grounds, including whether the ban breaches rights to freedom of expression and assembly and whether ministers failed to follow proper consultation procedures.

Parts of the Government’s defence were heard in secret under a closed material procedure, a move criticised by civil liberties lawyers.

Campaigners have described the court hearing as a test of whether protest can still be treated as a democratic right.

What happens next?

The ruling, expected mid-morning, could immediately reshape ongoing cases.

If the judges strike down the proscription, arrests and charges linked solely to sign-holding protests may be deemed unlawful.

If they uphold it, campaigners say they will continue demonstrating regardless.

One organiser said: “Whatever the decision, people of conscience will keep standing up. Holding a sign is not terrorism.”

The outcome is likely to be closely watched not only by those arrested, but by campaigners, police forces and civil liberties groups across the UK.

Party secures third county councillor in Pembrokeshire after by-election victory

PLAID CYMRU has gained the Fishguard North East seat on Pembrokeshire County Council after Billy Shaw topped the poll in this week’s by-election.

Shaw secured 253 votes — almost double that of the second-placed candidate — to be declared the new county councillor for the ward.

The win means Plaid Cymru now has three representatives on the authority, alongside Rhys Sinnett and Michael Williams.

The by-election was called following the death of former councillor Jordan Ryan, whose passing prompted tributes across the community.

Clear margin of victory

Official results show Shaw comfortably ahead of the field, with Caleb Churchill of the Welsh Liberal Democrats finishing second on 135 votes. Peter John of Reform UK came third with 95.

Labour’s Paul Howe polled 83, while independent candidate Teresa Tannahill received 79 votes. Brian Murphy of the Welsh Conservative Party took 69, and independent Adrian Tyrrell 35.

Turnout was 48.8% from an electorate of 1,537.

‘Now the hard work begins’

Councillor Shaw thanked residents for their support and said he was ready to begin work immediately.

He said: “I would like to thank all of the residents of Fishguard North East for electing me to represent them as their County Councillor. I take over the mantle after the passing away of the previous incumbent, Jordan Ryan, whose passing shocked us all. He was an excellent ambassador for Fishguard. Now the hard work begins.”

Ceredigion MS Elin Jones said Shaw knew the area well and would serve the community with “passion and integrity”.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth described the result as “a big win in Pembrokeshire for a true community champion”.

Councillor Shaw will now represent Fishguard North East residents at County Hall in Haverfordwest.

WALES could need nearly nine thousand extra homes a year over the next five years, according to new figures published by the Welsh Government, as ministers warn that homelessness and overcrowding are driving a sharp rise in housing pressure.

In a written statement on Thursday (Feb 12), Housing and Local Government Secretary Jayne Bryant set out fresh “2025-based” estimates showing both existing shortfalls and future demand for homes across the country.

The data suggests there is already an unmet need for around 9,400 homes in Wales – a figure that has jumped by 64% since the last assessment in 2019. Officials say the increase is largely due to more households living in temporary accommodation or unsuitable housing.

Five-year demand spike

On top of that backlog, analysts estimate that between 7,800 and 9,300 additional homes will be needed every year between July 2025 and June 2030. The central estimate stands at 8,700 annually.

Most of that demand – about 65% – is expected to be for market housing, with the remaining 35% for affordable homes. However, all of the current backlog is assumed to require affordable provision.

Ministers say higher household growth projections are behind the rise, with more people living alone and demographic changes increasing the number of properties required overall.

Bryant said the figures would form part of the evidence base for future planning and housing policy, adding that they are not formal building targets but an indication of likely need.

Pressure felt locally

For communities in west Wales, including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, the numbers are likely to intensify debate around where new homes should be built and who they are for.

Rural towns have long complained of young families being priced out, rising rents and limited social housing, while councils face growing temporary accommodation costs for homeless households.

The Herald understands that several local authorities are already struggling to keep pace with demand, with waiting lists stretching into the thousands and increasing use of hotels and short-term lets to house families in crisis.

Slower growth long term

Looking further ahead, the government expects the pace of new need to slow gradually over the next 20 years as household growth stabilises.

Officials have also updated the way the figures are calculated, including new assumptions about rent levels and incomes, and presenting existing need as a single total rather than spreading it over several years.

The estimates will help inform future reviews of Wales’ national planning framework and wider housing strategy.

But for many families currently in overcrowded homes or temporary accommodation, the message is immediate: thousands more homes are required – and quickly – if the housing crisis is to ease.