Palestine Action advocate Diane Abbott is leading the Labour rebels opposing terror ban

Diane Abbott has joined other Left-wing Labour MPs in rebelling against a move to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

The legislation, brought under the Terrorism Act 2000, passed in the House of Commons on Wednesday with an overwhelming majority. MPs voted 385 to 26 in favour, a majority of 359.

Nine Labour MPs voted against the motion, either directly or by proxy, along with several suspended former Labour MPs including ex-party leader Jeremy Corbyn and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

The House of Lords is expected to debate and vote on the motion on Thursday. If approved, it will become a criminal offence to be a member of Palestine Action or support it, carrying a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.

Diane Abbott has been contacted for comment.

Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs that while people can continue to show support for Palestine, Palestine Action was not a "legitimate protest group."

He said: "People engaged in lawful protest don't need weapons. People engaged in lawful protest do not throw smoke bombs and fire pyrotechnics around innocent members of the public.
And people engaged in lawful protest do not cause millions of pounds of damage to national security infrastructure, including submarines and defence equipment for Nato."

Palestine Action is now seeking to launch a legal challenge against the Government's decision. A hearing on Friday will determine whether the ban can be temporarily blocked while further proceedings consider if a full challenge can go ahead.

The proscription follows an incident on June 20, when two aircraft were vandalised at RAF Brize Norton. The group claimed responsibility. Four individuals were charged on Wednesday evening, and five people have been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence in connection with the attack.

Mr Jarvis said the Brize Norton incident was "just the latest episode in Palestine Action's long history of harmful activity."

He added: "Palestine Action has orchestrated a nationwide campaign of property damage featuring attacks that have resulted in serious damage to property and crossed the threshold from direct criminal action into terrorism."