Manchester Police Offer Incentives to Café Owner for Information on Palestine Action

Shams Sadiq, a 51-year-old owner of two Didsbury cafés, says two Greater Manchester Police officers met him on 15 May at Ashton-under-Lyne police station after he retrieved electronic devices seized during a 2024 arrest linked to the banned group Palestine Action. He alleges the officers told him they would not charge him and offered “benefits” – financial help, tax assistance and a promise to overlook minor offences such as speeding tickets – in exchange for information on the group.

The Guardian

Palestine Action was proscribed in 2024 after members broke into a military air base, making support a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years. GMP’s Operation Wildflower was launched to monitor the group amid the Gaza war. Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, which allows questioning and seizure at ports, was used when Sadiq was detained for three hours at Manchester Airport four days before the May meeting.

Middle East Eye

In 2024 Sadiq was arrested and his devices confiscated over alleged Palestine Action offences. Four days before the 15 May meeting, he was held under Schedule 7 at Manchester Airport for three hours and questioned about the group, Iran and his finances. On 15 May officers presented the inducement offer. On 30 May Sadiq went public, citing safety concerns.

Middle East Eye

• Shams Sadiq – Café owner and pro-Palestine activist.

Middle East Eye

• Greater Manchester Police (GMP) – Law-enforcement agency running Operation Wildflower.

The Guardian

• Simon Pook – Solicitor at Robert Lizar representing Sadiq.

The Guardian

• Volker Turk – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Middle East Eye

GMP declined to comment on the allegations. Pook announced formal representations to GMP, describing the conduct as reminiscent of tactics used during the Northern Ireland Troubles. The UN, through Volker Turk, has previously criticised the use of terrorism legislation to curb activities it calls a “legitimate exercise of fundamental freedom.”

Middle East Eye

Pook argues that using Schedule 7 to secure inducements breaches legal thresholds, as the power should be limited to cases with reasonable belief of terrorism preparation. Human-rights observers, including Turk, have called the proscription “disproportionate and unnecessary,” suggesting it may overreach civil liberties.

Middle East Eye

Police have neither confirmed nor denied the alleged inducement offer, leaving a factual gap. The source articles carry reliability scores of roughly 40 % and 30 %, indicating moderate confidence and no independent verification of the officers’ statements.

The Guardian

• “They said to me: ‘We need your help. Look, there’s benefits in helping us,’” — Shams Sadiq, Café Owner

The Guardian

• “We’re unhappy that he was put in that position and offered inducements to work for the state,” — Simon Pook, Solicitor, Robert Lizar

The Guardian

• “The decision appears disproportionate and unnecessary,” — Volker Turk, UN Human Rights Chief

Middle East Eye

Pook’s complaint may prompt an internal GMP review or external oversight, while Sadiq says he will cooperate with any investigation and seek protection for his family.

Middle East Eye