Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
Actors and writers back Sally Rooney after her books leave UK shops
Sally Rooney’s books have been pulled from UK shops after a change in how her support for Palestine Action affects their sale.
UK authorities have proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, and Rooney has said she intends to keep using her royalties to support the group.
Her publisher, Faber, said current UK law prevents it from passing UK earnings to Rooney for her work.
Actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones joined other public figures in backing Rooney in an open letter to the government.
The letter says Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist, and argues that removing her books harms free speech.
The signatories urged the government to change the legislation behind the situation.
The sources do not say whether the government plans to change the law.
Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones and other signatories have backed author Sally Rooney after her books were withdrawn from sale in the UK.
Rooney’s UK and Ireland publisher, Faber, said UK legislation means it cannot pass UK earnings from her work to her.
The books were withdrawn because Rooney has supported Palestine Action, which UK authorities have proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
The signatories called for the books to be made available and urged the government to change the legislation.
- Who
- Sally Rooney and supporters including Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
- What
- Supporters signed an open letter after Rooney’s books were withdrawn from sale in the UK.
- When
- The articles were published on October 20 and 21, 2026; the exact date of the withdrawal is not stated.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Faber said UK legislation prevents it from passing UK earnings to Rooney, who has supported Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation.
Rooney’s supporters
UK authorities and supporters of Palestine Action’s proscription
Availability of books
Rooney’s supporters
The books should be available to the public; their withdrawal is censorship and an affront to free speech.
UK authorities and supporters of Palestine Action’s proscription
Authorities have proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation; Jacqui Smith said, “Actions have consequences.
Legislation
Rooney’s supporters
The government should change the legislation that led to the books being withdrawn.
UK authorities and supporters of Palestine Action’s proscription
Not stated
Rooney said she intended to carry on using her royalties to support Palestine Action.
Rooney said efforts to publish her work in the UK could constitute a serious criminal offence.
SCMP published an article criticizing the consequences of the proscription of Palestine Action.
Variety reported that Faber was pulling Rooney’s books from UK shops and that supporters had signed an open letter.
- Signatories
- Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jessie Buckley and Lenny Abrahamson
- Publisher
- Faber, Rooney’s UK and Ireland publisher
- Books
- Normal People, Conversations With Friends and Intermezzo
- Organisation
- Palestine Action, proscribed as a terrorism organisation by UK authorities
- Open letter
- Published in the New Statesman
3 sources
What people are saying
Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public.
We categorically reject censorship – whether direct or indirect – and urge the government to change course, amending the legislation which has led us to this point of repressive absurdity.
Actions have consequences