Further arrest over damage to planes at RAF Brize Norton
Two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on June 20.
The arrested man is currently in police custody, police added.
The action, which was claimed by the group Palestine Action, caused £7 million worth of damage to the aircraft.
The Government moved to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws after the group claimed responsibility for the action.
Four people were charged last month in connection with the incident.
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Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Edinburgh MSP asks how Police Scotland will handle protests in support of Palestine Actio n
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton is asking Scotland's chief constable how she plans to police protests over events in Gaza after Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... At a protest march in London last weekend, where demonstrators carried placards saying "I support Palestine Action", 522 people were arrested on suspicion of breaking terrorism laws. According to the police, their average age was 54 and 112 of them were over 70. Police arrest an 89-year-old protester at the demonstration in London last weekend in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action, calling for the recently imposed ban to be lifted. Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe / AFP via Getty Images | AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Edinburgh on July 19 and police later said two men had been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 for showing support for a proscribed organisation, with a third arrested near the Scottish Parliament two days later. Mr Cole-Hamilton, who is MSP for Edinburgh Western, said there was potential for a "massive" waste of police time, which would be better spent tackling violent and antisocial offenders. He said: 'Proscription must be applied carefully and proportionately, or we risk undermining public trust and civil liberties. The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of a liberal democracy. 'It has clearly been incredibly uncomfortable for police officers to be asked to arrest peaceful demonstrators. This sets a dangerous precedent and risks a chilling impact on free speech and legitimate protest. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It cannot be right that elderly members of groups like Palestine Action are placed in the same legal category as ISIS." Protesters in London last weekend, calling for the ban on supporting Palestine Action to be lifted. Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images. | AFP via Getty Images Palestine Action was designated a terrorist organisation last month after two Voyager military aircraft were vandalised at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20. Its proscription means membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Mr Cole-Hamilton called for an urgent review of terrorism legislation to ensure it is proportionate and nuanced. He said: 'Serious criminal offences such as vandalism of military equipment and RAF aircraft deserve accountability under the law, but these powers should be reserved for tackling those who endanger the UK's defence and security, rather than for heavy handedly removing protesting pensioners from public spaces. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'If these protests spread to Scotland, this has the potential to be a massive waste of time when officers and court officials would be better off tackling violent and antisocial offenders." In his letter to Chief Constable Jo Farrell, he asks what approach Police Scotland would be minded to take if similar protests to the one in London last weekend were staged in Scotland. He writes: "Obviously, I would not expect you to involve yourself in the debate around proscription per se but I hope you might agree with me that it does raise legitimate questions of balance around policing protests involving those who have taken a different view from the one reached by the Home Secretary." He argues it "can only hinder the fight against terror" if the law is seen as being aimed "at people whose intention is to exercise their constitutional rights to protest". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He says Police Scotland has an opportunity to learn from the experience of the Metropolitan Police. And he concludes: "I'm keen to understand how Police Scotland intends to navigate the tension that exists here between free speech, policing by consent and the demands of this legislation."
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Home secretary defends Palestine Action arrests: ‘More than a regular protest group'
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has defended the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, stating it is more than a regular protest group. Ms Cooper argued that Palestine Action has engaged in an escalating campaign of violent criminality, distinct from lawful protest. She cited counterterrorism intelligence indicating the group met the criteria for proscription under the 2000 Terrorism Act, with disturbing information about future attacks. The Metropolitan Police reported over 700 arrests since Palestine Action was banned on 5 July, with 60 more people to be prosecuted for supporting the group. The first three charges in England and Wales under the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action have been confirmed, with more prosecutions anticipated.
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Cooper says Palestine Action ‘more than a regular protest group'
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has labelled Palestine Action more than 'a regular protest group' as she defended the group's proscription as a terrorist organisation. She said protest and free speech remain 'an important part of our democracy' which will 'always be protected', but argued Palestine Action has carried out 'an escalating campaign'. Writing in The Observer, she said: 'Some may think it is a regular protest group known for occasional stunts. But that is not the extent of its past activities.' Ms Cooper said counterterrorism intelligence showed the organisation passed the tests to be proscribed under the 2000 Terrorism Act with 'disturbing information' about future attacks. 'Protecting public safety and national security are at the very heart of the job I do,' she said. 'Were there to be further serious attacks or injuries, the government would rightly be condemned for not acting sooner to keep people safe.' She said only a tiny minority of people who had protested in support of Palestinian people since the start of the war with Israel had been arrested. 'That is why the proscription of this group is not about protest or the Palestinian cause,' she said. 'In a democracy, lawful protest is a fundamental right but violent criminality is not. The Metropolitan Police said on Friday more than 700 people have been arrested since the group was banned on July 5. The force said a further 60 people will be prosecuted for support of Palestine Action, while Norfolk Police said on Saturday 13 people were arrested at a protest in Norwich. Last week, the Met confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales for offences under the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action. The three people charged were arrested at a protest in Parliament Square on July 5. More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks, and arrangements have been put in place 'that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary', the Met said.
