British counterterrorism police have arrested a fifth suspect in connection with damaging two military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, The Telegraph reported on Saturday.
A 22-year-old man with no fixed address was detained in Bedford on Friday on suspicion of preparing or instigating acts of terrorism, under Section 41 of the UK's Terrorism Act 2000. He remains in police custody, Counter Terrorism Policing South confirmed.
The damage was caused on June 20, and subsequently claimed by the activist group Palestine Action, which caused an estimated £7 million in damage to two Voyager aircraft stationed at the Royal Air Force base.
Following the attack, four individuals were charged, and the British government moved to outlaw Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper formally announced the proscription on June 23, describing the sabotage of the aircraft as "disgraceful." Under the new order, supporting or associating with the group is considered a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Challenging the ban
Palestine Action has since challenged the ban. The group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, was granted permission by the High Court this week to pursue a judicial review of the government’s decision. Mr. Justice Chamberlain ruled that two legal arguments put forward by Ammori’s legal team were “reasonably arguable” and will be heard in full during a three-day hearing scheduled for November.
Among the claims under review is the argument that the proscription amounts to a disproportionate restriction on freedom of expression and assembly. Ammori’s lawyers also contend that the home secretary failed to consult with the group before imposing the ban, an alleged violation of natural justice.
However, the judge rejected several additional arguments, including claims that the government had not gathered adequate evidence before proscribing the group. He also denied a request to temporarily suspend the ban until the full hearing, citing “a powerful public interest” in keeping the designation in place.
Justice Chamberlain emphasized the need for swift judicial review to avoid “a recipe for chaos” that could arise if conflicting decisions were made in lower courts across the UK.
In response to the ruling, Ammori said the court’s decision to allow the challenge to proceed marked a “landmark” moment and vowed to continue defending the rights to free speech and political protest.
Home Office defends proscribing Palestine Action
The Home Office is defending the proscription. Government lawyers argue that Palestine Action’s operations fall clearly within the scope of terrorism laws, particularly due to the scale of property damage the group has caused.
The government also argued that challenges to the ban should be heard by the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC), a specialized tribunal. However, the judge noted that an appeal through POAC would likely not be heard before mid-2026, while a High Court hearing can proceed much sooner.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said that law enforcement would continue to enforce the proscription. “As long as that’s the law, we’ll enforce the law rigorously, because supporting a terrorist organization is a serious offense,” he said.
While the court did not accept all of Ammori’s claims, the case has raised broader concerns about the implications of the proscription on political expression, particularly among those advocating for Palestinian rights but unaffiliated with Palestine Action.
Justice Chamberlain acknowledged that reports of police interactions with pro-Palestinian protesters, some of whom were questioned or arrested despite having no ties to the group, could have a chilling effect on legitimate political expression.
The full judicial review is expected to take place in the autumn.