Police chief denies 'stonewalling' questions over Palestine Action

A senior police chief has denied “stonewalling” questions over why Palestine Action has been proscribed under anti-terror laws.

Deputy chief constable of operational policing Jane Connors told the Scottish Police Authority, the government body that oversees Police Scotland, that the force will “always act in accordance with the law” and the proscription of organisations “rests with the UK Government”.

“It is [the UK Government’s] decision, and I don’t feel there is anything I can comment on, and it would be inappropriate for me to do so,” she said.

SPA member Paul Edie, a former Lib Dem councillor in Edinburgh, said he was “disappointed” Police Scotland would not say more.

“I’m not satisfied with the answer,” he said.

“I’m trying to provide oversight on behalf of the public and I’m getting stonewalled here – I don’t think that’s acceptable.”

DCC Connors denied “stonewalling” the public.

“We’re acting in accordance with the law,” she said.

The UK Government announced last month that the Palestine Action protest group would be proscribed under anti-terror laws – putting it into the same category as the IRA and ISIS.

The move makes it illegal to be a member of, or to invite support for, Palestine Action from July 5, 2025.

It came after the group claimed responsibility for an incident at RAF Brize Norton in which two Voyager aircraft were damaged.

Police said the incident caused around £7m worth of damage.

In late July, Palestine Action won a bid to bring a legal challenge against the government’s decision to ban the group as a terror organisation.

Police have since arrested hundreds of people who have turned out at demonstrations in support of the banned group.

Mr Edie said he was “looking for assurances that the proscription is proportionate”.

DCC Connors said: “It is [the UK Government’s] decision, and I don’t feel there is anything I can comment on, and it would be inappropriate for me to do so.”