8 godzin temu
Palestine Action's co-founder has launched a last-minute Court of Appeal challenge to temporarily block the Government from banning the group as a terrorist organisation. The designation is set to come into force at midnight on Friday.
Huda Ammori earlier failed to secure a temporary block from the High Court, with Mr Justice Chamberlain refusing her bid for interim relief. However, her legal team immediately escalated the case to the Court of Appeal on Friday evening.
"Chilling effect" on free speech
Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC, representing Ammori, argued that the High Court judge wrongly balanced the interests between her client and the Home Office. She told the Court of Appeal that the ban would have a "chilling effect" on free speech and criminalise people "for engaging in protest that was not violent".
The barrister said people would be "criminalised as terrorists for the simple fact that they were associated with Palestine Action". She argued the judge had evidence of potential impacts on employment rights, education rights and the right to liberty.
Judge's decision defended
Ben Watson KC, for the Home Office, defended Mr Justice Chamberlain's ruling as a "detailed and careful judgment" that was "all the more impressive given the time constraints". He said the judge was "entitled to reach the conclusion that he did".
Watson argued that the judge conducted "a very careful analysis of all the matters he relied upon" and was "alive" to the possible impacts of the ban, including the potential chilling effect on free speech.
Court promises swift decision
The Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Lewis and Lord Justice Edis, said they hoped to deliver judgment shortly after 10pm. She told the court: "We will have a decision for you before midnight."
In his earlier ruling, Mr Justice Chamberlain said the harm from refusing interim relief was "insufficient to outweigh the strong public interest in maintaining the order in force". The proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000 would make membership or support of Palestine Action a criminal offence.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
