Judge declines terrorism sentence for Palestine Action five despite group facing proscription

On August 21, 2026, a judge ruled that five Palestine Action activists convicted of causing over £200,000 in damage to a Barclays branch in Burnley will not be sentenced as terrorists. The ruling diverges from a June 2026 judgment confirming the Proscription Review Group's finding that Palestine Action is "currently concerned in terrorism," with prospective legislation that would make membership illegal.