Rights groups and public figures warn the crackdown represents a dangerous erosion of democratic freedoms, as a High Court judicial review prepares to challenge the legality of the ban.

A wave of arrests in Parliament Square has ignited fierce criticism and widespread concern over civil liberties, as hundreds of peaceful demonstrators were detained merely for holding placards stating” I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” This follows the UK government’s controversial decision to designate the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization under sweeping counter terrorism laws.