Palestine Action co-founder wins permission to challenge ban | UK security and counter-terrorism

The co-founder of Palestine Action can bring an unprecedented legal challenge to the home secretary’s decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws, a high court judge has ruled.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said the proscription order against the direct action group risked “considerable harm to the public interest” because of a potential “chilling effect” on legitimate political speech.

The judge cited the case of Laura Murton, who the Guardian revealed had been threatened with arrest by armed officers for holding a sign saying “Free Gaza” and a Palestinian flag.

Chamberlain’s decision is the first time that an organisation banned under anti-terrorism law has been granted a court trial to challenge proscription.

The judge said: “If, as the claimant says, the proscription…