Author Sally Rooney's books may be withdrawn from sale in the UK, and her new works could become unpublishable in Britain, due to «uncertainty» caused by the government's ban on Palestine Action. The dramatic claim emerged in High Court testimony on Thursday as the direct-action group challenges its proscription under anti-terror laws.
Rooney, the 34-year-old author of "Normal People" and "Intermezzo," submitted witness statements to the legal challenge brought by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori. Her barrister presented the statements, revealing that publishers and producers could commit a criminal offense by paying Rooney due to her vocal support for the banned organization.
The ban, which took effect on July 5 following a decision by then-home secretary Yvette Cooper, carries penalties of up to 14 years in prison for membership or support. More than 2,000 people have been arrested since the proscription, including what the claimant's counsel described as «priests, teachers, pensioners, retired British Army officers» and an «81-year-old former magistrate.»
Impact on Publishing
Rooney told the court her income has become «enormously restricted» due to «unclear» payment arrangements. She stated that a producer was advised against sending money to her agent if it could fund Palestine Action.
«If I were to write another screenplay, television show or similar creative work, I would not be able to have it produced or distributed by a company based in England and Wales without, expressly or tacitly, accepting that I would not be paid,» Rooney said in her witness statement.
She warned her publisher, Faber and Faber Limited, could be legally prohibited from paying her royalties. «If, therefore, Faber and Faber Limited are legally prohibited from paying me the royalties I am owed, my existing works may have to be withdrawn from sale and would therefore no longer be available to readers in the UK,» she stated.
Rooney described the situation as «a truly extreme incursion by the state into the realm of artistic expression.» She said she is «almost certain» she cannot publish new work in the UK while the proscription remains in effect.
«If Palestine Action is still proscribed by the time my next book is due for publication, then that book will be available to readers all over the world and in dozens of languages, but will be unavailable to readers in the United Kingdom simply because no-one will be permitted to publish it, unless I am content to give it away for free,» she explained.
Government's Defense
Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Home Office, defended the ban before a three-judge panel at the Royal Courts of Justice. He argued that «Palestine Action is within the definition of a terrorist organisation applying the test that Parliament has determined that and provided for, we say compatibly, in the primary legislation.»
The government's barrister emphasized Parliament's authority: «In our democratic society, these issues are matters for Parliament to judge and Parliament's judgment is expressed in the current legislation.»
In written submissions, the Home Office stated the proscription aims at «stifling organisations concerned in terrorism and for members of the public to face criminal liability for joining or supporting such organisations.» The ban «serves to ensure proscribed organisations are deprived of the oxygen of publicity as well as both vocal and financial support,» Eadie wrote.
He told the court the measure «strikes a fair balance between interference with the rights of the individuals affected and the interests of the community.»
Rooney countered in her statement: «I am of the view that the passionate opposition to this proscription is due not only to the broad base of support for direct action against genocide, but also to the unprecedented misuse of anti-terrorism legislation to curtail civil liberties.»
The hearing before Dame Victoria Sharp, Mr Justice Swift, and Mrs Justice Steyn concludes on December 2. A decision is expected in writing at a later date. On Wednesday, the first day of the challenge, 143 people were arrested during demonstrations outside the court.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
