An ex-Labour councillor has been allowed to keep up a poster which expresses support for the banned terrorist group Palestine Action as it is “not in public”.
Keith Hackett, 71, put up the poster in the front window of his Liverpool residence after the Home Secretary proscribed the group as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act on July 5.
The 71-year-old told The Times he was ‘absolutely gobsmacked’ to not have been arrested by Merseyside Police
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The ex-Labour councillor’s poster read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” – the same message displayed on placards at mass protests in London just weeks ago.
It was accompanied by a Palestinian flag and was in view of those who passed his home.
Mr Hackett’s daughter had filmed the interaction with the police and posted it on social media.
In the footage, a police officer was heard saying: “As I’m sure you’re aware, there is no offence with it because it’s in a private dwelling, you’re allowed to say that. It would only be an offence if it was in a public place.
“If you were to take that outside into a public place then you would be committing an offence.”
The officer was also heard telling Mr Hackett that “there was nothing to say” that the poster “stirs up racial hatred”, which is an offence under the Public Order Act.
The 71-year-old told The Times he was “absolutely gobsmacked” to not have been arrested by Merseyside Police.
He added: “I’d said: ‘Do you mind if I get changed before you arrest me?’
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News of Mr Hackett’s run-in with the force came on the same day the Metropolitan Police confirmed that 64 people were formally notified of charges and given court dates in relation to expressing support for the banned group in the capital
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“It’s bizarre. I didn’t expect that to be the case… I’m delighted that’s the case, I genuinely mean that – the whole issue of banning Palestine Action is ludicrous.
“The way it’s been done in Parliament… with no discussion, it’s madness.”
An insider from the Jewish Board of Deputies told the Times: “If the police say it’s fine, it’s OK with us.”
News of Mr Hackett’s run-in with the force came on the same day the Metropolitan Police confirmed that 64 people were formally notified of charges and given court dates in relation to expressing support for the banned group in the capital.
All of those charged under the Terrorism Act had been arrested at protests in central London last month.
Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “The reality for those who have carried out this action is that they are now facing serious charges under the Terrorism Act.
“If convicted of such an offence, it can have a severe impact on your life or career, potentially restricting your ability to travel overseas or work in certain professions.
“My message to anyone thinking about carrying out similar action in the coming weeks is to reconsider.”