Story perspectives

UK Police Arrest 50+ Protesters at Labour Conference

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

UK Police Arrest Protesters

UK police arrested more than 50 protesters outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
Arrests were made under the Terrorism Act because demonstrators displayed signs for the banned Palestine Action group.
Among those detained were Massive Attack singer Robert Del Naja and 94-year-old barrister Margaret Owen.
Amnesty International UK chief Kerry Moscogiuri called the arrests a shameful attack on free speech.

Summary

Burnham Sanctions Settlements

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements this month, reversing his predecessor’s policy.
Burnham has publicly ignored the ban on Palestine Action despite pressure from rights groups and protestors.
The Terrorism Act permits up to 14 years imprisonment for supporting or belonging to the proscribed Palestine Action.
U.S. President Donald Trump also outlawed Palestine Action, indicating an emerging international consensus on the group.

History

Historical Context

The Terrorism Act 2000 gave police powers to detain and stop-search, a provision the European Court struck down in 2010. It produced 1,126 arrests from September 2001 to December 2006 and was used in August 2025 to charge Palestine Action activists. Police now applied the same law to arrest more than 50 demonstrators, including musician Robert Del Naja, at the Labour Party conference.

1 of 3

UK Police Arrest Protesters

UK police arrested more than 50 protesters outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
Arrests were made under the Terrorism Act because demonstrators displayed signs for the banned Palestine Action group.
Among those detained were Massive Attack singer Robert Del Naja and 94-year-old barrister Margaret Owen.
Amnesty International UK chief Kerry Moscogiuri called the arrests a shameful attack on free speech.

1 / 3