First people charged with supporting Palestine Action plead not guilty

The first people to be charged with supporting Palestine Action after it was banned as a terror group have pleaded not guilty.

The three people, including two in their 70s, were arrested following a protest in Parliament Square, Westminster, on 5 July. Jeremy Shippam, 72, of Yapton, West Sussex, Judit Murray, 71, of West Ewell, Surrey, and Fiona Maclean, 53, of Hackney, north east London, are charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation, under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Today they entered not guilty pleas at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The court heard they held placards that read: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." Maclean, wearing earrings decorated with watermelons, and other defendants, spoke to confirm their names, ages and addresses.

Supporters of the defendants gathered outside court before the hearing, with some carrying Palestine flags and holding placards. The plea hearing was delayed briefly to search for a hearing loop for some of the defendants.

The group have been released on unconditional bail by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on March 16 for a trial listed for three days. Mr Goldspring told the defendants: "This will take place on March 16, 17, and 18 so I'm going to release each of you on bail until March 16 when you have an obligation to attend this court.

"Between now and then you are on unconditional bail." It comes after Palestine Action was banned as a terror organisation in July, after the group claimed responsibility for an action in which two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June. It comes as the Home Office plans to appeal a High Court ruling that allows Palestine Action's co-founder, Huda Ammori, to proceed with a legal challenge against the Government over the ban.

Ms Ammori took the action against the department over then-home secretary Yvette Cooper's decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws. The decision by Ms Cooper made membership of or support for the group a criminal offence by up to 14 years in prison.

It has sparked anger and protests since..