Six people have been charged with terrorism offences in the United Kingdom, accused of encouraging support for the proscribed group Palestine Action through a series of public gatherings and online meetings held across the country this summer. The Metropolitan Police announced the charges on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, capping off a months-long investigation that has seen more than 700 arrests since the group was banned in July.
The individuals charged are Timothy Crosland, 55, from Southwark, London; Patrick Friend, 26, from Grange, Edinburgh; Gwen Harrison, 48, from Kendal, Cumbria; David Nixon, 39, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire; Dawn Manners, 56, from Hackney, London; and Melanie Griffith, 62, from Southwark, London. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, each faces multiple counts of addressing or managing meetings with the purpose of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation, as well as assisting in arranging such meetings, all under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. All six have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 4.
The charges stem from public gatherings held in London, Manchester, and Cardiff between July 12 and August 9, 2025, as well as a planned demonstration set for Saturday, September 6, in London’s Parliament Square. In addition, authorities allege the group managed 13 Zoom meetings in support of Palestine Action between July and August. Another man, Anthony Harvey, 59, was charged in Scotland in a related investigation led by Police Scotland, accused of addressing a private meeting to encourage support for the banned group.
The investigation was described by Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan, head of operations for the Counter Terrorism Command, as “proactive” and coordinated across several police regions. Flanagan stated, “The six charges today, as well as the man charged in Scotland have come about as a result of a proactive investigation into suspected activity linked to Palestine Action.” She went on to warn, “There are potentially serious consequences for those who are found guilty of an offence under the Terrorism Act. I therefore urge anyone considering showing public support towards Palestine Action, or indeed any other proscribed group, to reconsider.” According to Flanagan, “Palestine Action is clearly proscribed as a terrorist group, and those showing support for this particular group, or encouraging others to do so can expect to be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.”
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, proscribed Palestine Action on July 5, 2025, following an incident in which paint was thrown on jets at RAF Brize Norton, causing £7 million in damage. The ban added the direct action group to the UK’s list of terrorist organisations, alongside groups such as al Qaeda and ISIS. Under the new law, membership of or support for Palestine Action is now a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Since the ban, the Metropolitan Police have made more than 700 arrests in connection with Palestine Action activities, and at least 114 individuals have been formally charged. The government maintains that the proscription is narrowly targeted at a group accused of organising serious criminality. However, lawyers for Huda Ammori, one of the group’s co-founders, have argued that the ban infringes on the right to free speech and stifles legitimate protest.
The timing of the charges is especially significant, coming just days before a planned protest by campaign group Defend Our Juries, which has organised a series of demonstrations in support of Palestine Action. Organisers expect more than 1,000 people to gather in Parliament Square on Saturday, brandishing signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Despite the arrests, Defend Our Juries has stated it will proceed with the demonstration, calling the police action “scandalous.” During an online news conference on Wednesday, the group urged protesters to demand to be taken into custody rather than accept “street bail” if arrested, a move they say could overwhelm police processing capacity.
According to the BBC, the offences attributed to the six charged individuals include arranging public demonstrations and managing online meetings intended to encourage support for Palestine Action. The Crown Prosecution Service specified that Timothy Crosland faces three counts of addressing a meeting and three counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation. Patrick Friend faces two counts of managing a meeting and one count of assisting in arranging a meeting for the same purpose. Gwen Harrison is accused of four counts of addressing a meeting and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting, while David Nixon faces five counts of managing a meeting, one count of addressing a meeting, and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting. Dawn Manners is accused of three counts of managing a meeting, two counts of addressing a meeting, and two counts of assisting in arranging a meeting. Melanie Griffith faces seven counts of addressing a meeting and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting.
The legal battle over the group’s proscription is far from over. Last month, Palestine Action won permission to challenge the ban in the High Court, with a full hearing scheduled for November 2025. However, a judge refused an appeal to temporarily lift the ban, meaning the group remains proscribed until the review takes place. Lawyers for the group continue to argue that the ban violates rights to free expression and protest, while government officials insist it is necessary to prevent further criminal acts.
The case has highlighted the ongoing tension in the UK between national security concerns and the right to protest, especially as the situation in Palestine continues to evoke strong feelings among activists and the public alike. Detective Chief Superintendent Flanagan acknowledged these emotions, saying, “We know there is a great strength of feeling towards the situation in Palestine and thousands have been able and continue to be able to express their views through protest and demonstrations, without breaking counter terrorism laws.”
As the six accused prepare to appear in court, their supporters and detractors alike are watching closely. The outcome of the High Court challenge in November may set a significant precedent for how the UK balances public protest against the need to combat terrorism. For now, the law is clear: supporting or encouraging support for Palestine Action is a serious criminal offence, with potentially severe consequences for those involved.
With passions running high and the legal process underway, the coming months promise to be pivotal for both the accused and the wider protest movement in the UK.
