Politics / ‘Palestine Action should not be proscribed as terror group’ – Carmichael
ISLES MP Alistair Carmichael abstained in a vote in the Commons last night that proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
He said he believed the group should not have been proscribed, but he was unable to vote as two neo-Nazi were also included in the amendment.
The draft order to amend the Terrorism Act 2000 passed the Commons by 385 votes to 26.
The order also bans the Maniacs Murder Cult (MMC) and the Russia Imperial Movement (RIM), both of which are neo-Nazi organisations.
There have been widespread concerns that the move could criminalise legitimate protest.
The Orkney and Shetland MP said of his decision to abstain: “Palestine Action should not be proscribed. They do not meet the test for proscription as a terrorist organisation.
“The specific vote, however, bundled them together with two other organisations which do meet the threshold for proscription so to vote no would be to vote against their proscription.
“I understand that there is a legal challenge currently in the courts challenging the proscription.
“That may yet end the proscription but would not affect the other two organisations.”
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