News
Attorney General under pressure as ‘terror’ arrests spark Wales-wide concern
Campaigners say peaceful sign-holders face disproportionate charges
ACTION at the Ministry of Justice in London yesterday has triggered fresh scrutiny of the UK Government’s decision to pursue terrorism-related charges against supporters of the Lift The Ban campaign, with activists and civil liberties groups warning that the policy is creating uncertainty across Wales.
From 1:00pm on Thursday, around 50 people were arrested outside the Ministry of Justice while sitting quietly with cardboard signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The action took place in near-freezing temperatures and forms part of a coordinated wave of protests across twenty towns and cities ahead of a Judicial Review set for 25–27 November.
Campaigners say the focus on the Ministry of Justice is deliberate, as the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, has authorised prosecutions of almost 200 peaceful demonstrators under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Six people linked to the movement are also reported to be on hunger strike in UK prisons, with supporters claiming they have been held on remand beyond normal time limits.
Lord Hermer, a former human rights barrister who previously worked alongside Keir Starmer at Doughty Street Chambers, has faced questions about how the prosecutions align with his earlier warnings about the dangers of undermining international law. The Ministry of Justice oversees the court system, where—if the Judicial Review fails—thousands of defendants could face rapid, short hearings for holding signs.
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said those taking action “pose no threat to the public” and accused the government of “using terror legislation in cases where peaceful protest is being targeted.”
Mixed response from police forces
The latest round of arrests has highlighted inconsistencies in how different UK police forces are responding. All nine Lift The Ban protests in England and Wales on Tuesday saw arrests, including in Aberystwyth, where local police intervened after several hours.
However, Police Scotland made no arrests at the corresponding action in Edinburgh, and officers in Derry, Totnes, Truro and Kendal have previously allowed sign-holders to continue without intervention. Campaigners say this disparity demonstrates that the proscription of Palestine Action is “unenforceable,” noting that 95 people who took part in Tuesday’s actions were not arrested.
Concerns were also raised after Devon and Cornwall Police—who had not made arrests at earlier actions—detained participants this week. Activists described a “coordinated response,” though police forces maintain operational independence from central government.
One protest on Thursday even saw officers detain a mannequin displaying one of the prohibited signs.
What’s happening here in Wales?
In Wales, the action in Aberystwyth is one of several protests held this month, with another planned for Cardiff on Saturday 29 November. Campaigners in Wales say the arrests have caused “significant public concern” and have called for greater clarity from the Home Office and Ministry of Justice about how terrorism legislation is being applied.
Civil liberties groups note that Wales has seen an increase in political demonstrations connected to the conflict in Gaza, with local organisations emphasising the importance of maintaining the right to peaceful protest.
Further protests are scheduled in the run-up to the Judicial Review:
More than 2,200 people have been arrested under terrorism legislation during Lift The Ban actions, which involve participants holding handwritten signs. Around 170 have been charged so far. The campaign is calling for the government to lift the proscription of Palestine Action and to formally recognise the situation in Gaza as genocide.
The government’s decision to proscribe the group has recently been criticised by UN experts, security specialists and members of an official advisory panel, who warned it could inflame community tensions and risk appearing politically motivated.
A number of activists held on remand are now engaged in a rolling hunger strike in prisons in England, including individuals connected to the so-called Filton 24 and Brize Norton Five cases. Supporters say they are being detained under extended pre-trial conditions despite not being charged with terror offences.
The Ministry of Justice and Home Office have insisted that all decisions relating to arrest, charging and proscription are taken in accordance with UK law and national security assessments. Ministers say terror legislation remains necessary to prevent serious harm and protect public safety.
The Attorney General’s office has been approached for comment.
Crime
Milford Haven disturbance sees two women arrested
TWO WOMEN were arrested following a disturbance at the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Saturday night (May 9).
The Herald understands the arrests followed an altercation involving four people.
Video circulating on social media shows two women lying face down on the ground outside while handcuffed and restrained by police officers.
In the footage, officers can be heard telling one woman that she is being arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.
Both women were then taken away, each flanked by officers.
Other women can be seen speaking to those detained while they remain on the ground.
The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for further details, including confirmation of the number of arrests, the nature of the incident, and whether anyone was injured.
News
Wales enters new political era after historic Senedd election
WALES has entered a new political era after voters delivered the biggest political upheaval since devolution.
Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, Reform UK surged into second place, and Welsh Labour was reduced to its worst result since the creation of Welsh devolution in 1999.
The result ends Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics and leaves Cardiff Bay facing weeks of negotiations over who will form the next Welsh Government.

Labour dominance ends
For the first time since the Senedd was created, Labour is no longer the largest party in Wales.
The party fell to just nine seats in the expanded 96-member chamber, a result which has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics.
First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro before announcing that she would stand down as Welsh Labour leader.
The scale of the defeat reflects deep public frustration over the NHS, public services, the cost of living, and the perception that Welsh Labour had run out of energy after decades in power.
Ken Skates has now been appointed interim Welsh Labour leader as the party begins what is likely to be a long and painful rebuilding process.
Plaid’s historic breakthrough
Plaid Cymru finished as the largest party with 43 seats, a landmark result for Rhun ap Iorwerth and his party.
It is the closest Plaid has ever come to forming a government in Wales, and gives the party the clear first opportunity to try to lead the next Welsh Government.
However, Plaid fell short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.
That means Rhun ap Iorwerth must now decide whether to seek a formal coalition, a confidence-and-supply arrangement, or attempt to govern as a minority administration.
The party campaigned strongly on the NHS, childcare, housing, rural Wales and economic renewal. It must now show that it can move from opposition into government and turn those promises into delivery.

Reform becomes major force
The other major story of the election was the dramatic rise of Reform UK.
The party won 34 seats, becoming the second-largest group in the Senedd and reshaping the political map across Wales.
Reform made major gains in former Labour heartlands, particularly in areas where voters have become disillusioned with Cardiff Bay politics and traditional party loyalties.

Its success means the next Senedd will be noisier, more confrontational, and far less predictable than before.
Reform will now have a large platform from which to challenge Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Conservatives on public services, immigration, the economy, and the future direction of Wales.

Smaller parties gain ground
The Conservatives were reduced to seven seats, leaving them much diminished after years of trying to present themselves as the main alternative to Labour.
The Wales Green Party won two seats, giving the party its first real foothold in the Senedd.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats won one seat, ensuring they remain represented in Cardiff Bay.
The new electoral system, which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and introduced 16 larger constituencies electing six MSs each, helped create a far more proportional result.
It has also produced a chamber in which smaller parties and tactical negotiations will matter more than ever.

What happens next?
The key issue now is who can command enough support to govern.
Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will be expected to lead the process of forming an administration.
But without a majority, every major vote will matter. Budgets, major laws, confidence votes and key policy decisions will all require careful negotiation.
A formal deal with another party may prove difficult. A minority Plaid government is possible, but it would need support from other MSs to survive.
That means the next few weeks could be decisive for the future of Wales.
A changed country
This was more than a bad night for Labour or a breakthrough for Plaid and Reform.
It was a clear sign that Welsh politics has changed.
Old loyalties have weakened. Voters who once backed the same party for generations have shown they are prepared to move. The next Senedd will be more divided, more unpredictable, and more difficult to control.
For Wales, the message is stark.
The Labour era is over. Plaid Cymru now has its greatest opportunity yet. Reform UK has arrived as a major force. And whoever forms the next Welsh Government will have to prove quickly that change means more than a different set of faces in Cardiff Bay.
Community
Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment on track for 2028 reopening
Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links
HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.
County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.
He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.
“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.
These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.
The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.
The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.
The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.
Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.
The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.
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