POLICE ARREST PROTESTERS AT LABOUR CONFERENCE OVER PALESTINE ACTION BAN

Merseyside Police arrested demonstrators outside Andy Burnham's first Labour Party conference as prime minister in Liverpool on Sunday, after protesters gathered in support of the banned group Palestine Action. Report A said around 195 to 200 people took part in the sit-down protest, organised by Defend Our Juries, holding signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." Report A said police had arrested 15 people two hours into the demonstration under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, with officers carrying away elderly participants as onlookers shouted in response. Report B said police arrested at least two people, including an elderly man sitting under a tree and another told he was holding a sign supporting a proscribed organisation, and said more protesters were expected to take the place of those arrested.

Those taking part included retirees, medics, members of the clergy and disabled people using mobility aids, according to Report A, which quoted a 71-year-old Church of England priest and a 94-year-old former human rights lawyer who said she wanted Burnham to lift the ban on Palestine Action immediately and describe events in Gaza as genocide. Defend Our Juries said in a statement carried by Report B that those willing to be arrested included teachers, pensioners and healthcare workers, and said continuing the proscription of Palestine Action was "illogical, unsustainable and immoral." The organisation said it had hoped Burnham would drop the ban given public pressure and the resources required to enforce it.

Defend Our Juries called on Burnham to use his first party conference speech as prime minister to end the prosecution of people as terrorists for opposing what it called war crimes and genocide in Gaza. The group said Israel's actions amounted to war crimes including ethnic cleansing, and said acknowledging this was not enough without further action to end what it called UK complicity. Report B said more protesters were expected to occupy the same spot as those already arrested, indicating the demonstration was continuing. Neither report recorded a response from Burnham or the government by the time of publication.