Legal challenge over terror ban is allowed to go ahead

Palestine Action can proceed with a legal challenge against the government over the group's ban as a terror organisation, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN, DANNY HALPIN

Founder Huda Ammori took legal action against former home secretary Yvette Cooper's decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws. The ban, which began on 5 July, made supporting the direct action group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Around 2,000 protesters have so far been arrested and face possible charges under the Terrorism Act for defying the controversial ban in a series of major demonstrations.

Ms Ammori was initially granted permission to launch a judicial review by Mr Justice Chamberlain, after finding that two parts of her case were “reasonably arguable”. However, in September, the Home Office brought a challenge against this decision to the Court of Appeal in London.

Barristers for the Home Office argued Ms Ammori should bring her legal challenge to the home secretary and then the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC), rather than the High Court for a “judicial review”.

Lawyers for Ms Ammori insisted the POAC was not the only suitable place to challenge the lawfulness of a ban.