News

Palestine Action co-founder wins right to challenge terror law ban

Published

5 months ago

July 30, 2025

A HIGH COURT judge has granted permission for the co-founder of Palestine Action to launch a legal challenge against the UK Government’s decision to ban the direct action group under terrorism laws.

Huda Ammori, who helped set up the group campaigning against UK arms sales to Israel, will now take her case to a full judicial review after Mr Justice Martin Chamberlain ruled on Wednesday (Jul 30) that her challenge was “reasonably arguable” and should proceed to trial.

Group placed alongside ISIS and Boko Haram

The ban, which came into effect on 5 July, places Palestine Action on the same proscribed list as Islamic State and Boko Haram. The decision means membership, support, or even public expression of sympathy for the group is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

Ammori’s lawyers, led by Raza Husain KC and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, told the court the proscription was “repugnant” and an “authoritarian and blatant abuse of power”. They said it targeted a campaign group whose actions overwhelmingly involved civil disobedience and property damage, rather than acts meeting the legal threshold for terrorism.

Out of 385 recorded incidents linked to Palestine Action, they argued, only three were considered by security agencies to potentially meet that threshold. Internal assessments by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) and MI5 reportedly concluded that national security concerns were minimal.

‘Chilling effect’ on protest and free speech

Since the ban came into force, more than 200 people have reportedly been arrested at demonstrations, with campaigners warning of a “chilling effect” on the right to protest. Ammori’s legal team said the move amounted to a politically motivated clampdown on dissent, in breach of fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Government, represented by Sir James Eadie KC, maintained that the group’s activities justified proscription. In particular, he cited an incident in which activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and caused damage to a military aircraft. He told the court that Parliament had designated the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC) as the correct forum to challenge a ban, not a judicial review in the High Court.

Previous bid to block ban failed

Before the ban took effect, Ammori had sought urgent interim relief to suspend it. That application was rejected by Mr Justice Chamberlain on 4 July, who ruled that delaying a proscription approved overwhelmingly by Parliament would undermine the statutory regime. The Court of Appeal dismissed an emergency appeal hours before the ban came into force.

However, at last week’s hearing to decide whether the case could proceed, the judge accepted that two key grounds — the proportionality of the ban and its impact on free expression — were arguable and should be tested at trial.

Unprecedented use of terrorism powers

The decision to proscribe Palestine Action is unprecedented, marking the first time the Government has applied anti-terrorism laws to a domestic protest group in this way. The Home Office’s own Proscription Review Group reportedly acknowledged that national security concerns were limited, and critics say the decision appears to have been driven by political considerations linked to the ongoing war in Gaza.

The full judicial review will now examine whether the Home Secretary acted lawfully, rationally, and proportionately in making the ban. It is expected to scrutinise the Government’s reliance on incidents of property damage, the adequacy of its national security assessment, and whether the proscription unlawfully infringes on rights to protest.

A date for the trial has not yet been fixed, but it is likely to take place later this year.

How Palestine Action’s legal challenge works

What is being challenged?

Palestine Action is challenging the Home Secretary’s decision to place the group on the UK’s official list of proscribed terrorist organisations. This means it is a criminal offence to be a member, support it publicly, or even express sympathy for it

How are such bans usually challenged?

Normally, the law requires challenges to go through the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC) — a specialist tribunal set up by Parliament to handle appeals against proscription.

Why is this case different?

Huda Ammori’s legal team has chosen to bring a judicial review in the High Court instead. They argue the ban is so disproportionate and such a blatant breach of free speech rights that it should be tested openly, not only in the restricted POAC process

What will the court decide?

The High Court will examine:

Whether the Home Secretary acted lawfully and rationally in making the ban.
Whether the ban is proportionate given the nature of the group’s activities.
Whether it unlawfully interferes with rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

Why is this significant?

This is the first time a UK protest group has been banned using anti-terrorism powers.

If Ammori wins, it could force the Government to lift the ban.
A ruling against the Home Secretary could set an important legal precedent limiting how such powers can be used in future.

What happens next?

The full judicial review is expected to be heard later this year.
If Ammori loses, she could still take her case to POAC or appeal further up the court system, potentially as far as the Supreme Court.

News

Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected

COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe weather after the Met Office issued an amber “danger to life” warning for heavy rain, covering the county from 4:00am to 9:00pm on Monday (Dec 15).

Up to 80mm of rain is expected widely, with 100mm possible on higher ground in north Pembrokeshire and the Preseli foothills. With rivers already running high following weeks of persistent wet weather, Natural Resources Wales says there is a heightened risk of flooding in low-lying areas, including parts of Haverfordwest, Remington Bridge, Merlin’s Bridge, Tenby, Neyland and along the Western Cleddau.

Travel disruption likely

The Met Office warns that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life, with road flooding likely on key Pembrokeshire routes such as the A40, A487 and A478. Bus and rail services may face disruption.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers would be monitoring known flood hotspots throughout Monday and urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel during the worst of the downpours.

A police spokesperson said: “Please plan ahead. Do not risk driving through floodwater. Conditions may change very quickly.”

Yellow warnings already in place

A yellow rain warning is active for southwest Wales from midnight tonight (Sun 14 Dec). A separate yellow warning for mid and north Wales began this afternoon.

Pembrokeshire County Council said its highways and emergency planning teams are on standby, with extra staff monitoring river gauges and drainage across the county. Sandbags are available where required.

Residents urged to prepare

Natural Resources Wales is advising residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions today, including:

Checking local flood alerts
Moving valuables upstairs where possible
Securing outdoor items against strong winds
Checking on vulnerable neighbours

The Herald understands that emergency services expect the heaviest rainfall between 6:00am and 3:00pm on Monday, with further unsettled weather forecast later in the week.

More updates to follow

This is a developing story. The Pembrokeshire Herald will bring live updates as information comes in from the Met Office, NRW, PCC and emergency services.

Health

Major investment confirmed for GP services in Wales

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Government unveils £41m boost, but practices warn pressures remain acute

MORE than £41m in extra funding will go into general practice in Wales this year following a new agreement between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and GP leaders. Ministers say the deal provides stability at a time of rising demand — but the settlement comes against a backdrop of sustained pressures, recruitment challenges and concerns over patient access.

The package includes a 4% uplift to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract for 2025-26, in line with independent DDRB pay recommendations, and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent uplift from 2026-27. The Welsh Government says the multi-year commitment will allow practices to plan ahead, modernise systems and strengthen community-based services.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the investment showed an “unwavering commitment” to general practice, adding: “The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice staff who work tirelessly to deliver care for communities across our country. Multi-year funding gives practices the confidence to invest in the transformation primary care needs.”

However, the announcement comes at a time when many Welsh practices continue to report severe workforce pressures, rising demand, and longstanding challenges in recruiting new partners. GP numbers have fallen over the past decade, with some practices handing back contracts or operating list closures because of unsustainable workloads. Patient satisfaction with access has also declined, according to the latest Welsh GP Patient Survey.

What the deal includes

The settlement for 2025-26 comprises £37.9m of new investment and £4m in re-invested capacity funding, with the key elements including:

A 1.77% uplift in expenses, intended to help practices manage inflationary pressures in energy, staffing and running costs.
A recurrent £20m stabilisation fund to support practices facing immediate operational pressures and to prepare for wider reform under the incoming Sustainable Farming Scheme model for health.
An increased partnership premium, aimed at retaining experienced GPs and encouraging new partners into a model that some say has become less attractive due to financial and regulatory risk.
A full review of the GMS allocation formula — the first in more than 20 years — which determines how funding is distributed between practices. Some rural and deprived communities have long argued the current system does not reflect the complexity of local health needs.

Wider context

General practice remains the foundation of the NHS, accounting for around 90% of patient contacts, yet it receives a proportionally small share of the overall health budget compared with hospital services. Both the Welsh NHS Confederation and GPC Wales have repeatedly warned that without sustained investment, primary care risks being unable to meet increasing demand from ageing populations and rising chronic illness.

The Welsh Government’s own “community-by-design” programme relies on shifting more care closer to home, reducing pressure on emergency departments and supporting earlier intervention. For that to be achieved, GP leaders say investment needs to be matched with workforce expansion, improved digital systems, and clear strategies to retain experienced clinicians.

Working groups will now be set up to examine access standards, diabetes prevention and new service models.

Mr Miles said he was pleased that GPs would be “actively contributing to creating innovative care models that enhance access, improve outcomes and deliver care locally.”

GP representatives broadly welcomed the deal but have stressed that it is only one step in addressing the scale of challenge across primary care.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)