06-05-2025
Colum Eastwood: SDLP MP in court over pro-Palestinian rally
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood in court over pro-Palestinian rally
About 60 people took part in a protest outside the courthouse
The Social Democratic and Labour Party MP Colum Eastwood has appeared in court charged in connection with a pro-Palestinian rally in Londonderry last year.
Eastwood, the MP for Foyle and former SDLP leader, is one of four people accused of taking part in an unnotified parade in the city on 14 February 2024.
In Northern Ireland, organisers must give 28 days' notice to the Parades Commission, the body that adjudicates on contentious parades, to hold a parade or procession.
Eastwood's solicitor told Londonderry Magistrates' Court he believed it was not in the public interest to pursue the charge and that he intended to ask the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) why it pushed the case forward.
