POLICE Scotland has issued a statement following the High Court ruling that the UK Government’s terrorism ban against Palestine Action is unlawful.
Earlier, the Metropolitan Police said officers will stop arresting protesters who hold up signs declaring “I support Palestine Action” in the wake of the ruling. However, the force said it will continue to collect evidence to inform potential future prosecutions in case the court's decision is overturned at appeal.
Palestine Action remains banned despite the group winning the case in order to allow the UK Government to appeal.
The National asked Police Scotland for their position following the judgment.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We acknowledge the decision of the High Court.
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“As the court has ruled that the proscription order will remain in place, Police Scotland will continue to enforce the law proportionately.
“Officers will be provided with appropriate guidance in order to adhere with legislation and in consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
The statement comes after Justice Victoria Sharp said the court found that the ban on Palestine Action was "disproportionate".
She said: “A very small number of Palestine Action’s activities amounted to acts of terrorism within the definition of section 1 of the 2000 [Terrorism] Act.
“For these, and for Palestine Action’s other criminal activities, the general criminal law remains available.
“The nature and scale of Palestine Action’s activities falling within the definition of terrorism had not yet reached the level, scale and persistence to warrant proscription.”
The ban resulted in one of the largest campaigns of civil disobedience in the UK in recent years and the biggest prison hunger strike since the Irish republican hunger strike of 1981.
The protest group Defend Our Juries said more than 2700 people have been arrested for holding up signs supporting Palestine Action since the Government’s ban came into effect.
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A number of people were also arrested in Scotland for showing support for the group.
Last autumn, weekly silent protests were held, with some attracting hundreds of people holding signs, wearing T-shirts, and adorning badges expressing support for Palestine Action.
Nearly 700 people have been charged with a terrorism offence and faced preliminary court proceedings, although no-one has yet been convicted.
In an earlier statement, the Met Police said that the despite the ruling, showing support for Palestine Action was unlawful.
“We recognise these are unusual circumstances and there will likely be some confusion among the public as to what happens next," the force said.
“From a Metropolitan Police perspective, officers will continue to identify offences where support for Palestine Action is being expressed, but they will focus on gathering evidence of those offences and the people involved to provide opportunities for enforcement at a later date, rather than making arrests at the time.
“This is the most proportionate approach we can take, acknowledging the decision reached by the court while recognising that proceedings are not yet fully concluded.
“This approach relates solely to the expression of support for Palestine Action."
The court win was hailed as a "monumental victory for freedom" by campaigners and opposition politicians.
