Former British diplomat challenges Palestine Action ban in Scotland

"The next stage will be a hearing to decide whether the case can proceed to trial. Craig Murray, who was the British ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2002 to 2004, has served notice on the Scottish solicitor general. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty He is arguing that the proscription order contravenes the rights to freedom of speech and assembly under the European convention of human rights and that Palestine Action should have been consulted before it was imposed."

"A judicial review of the ban brought by Palestine Action's co-founder Huda Ammori is due to be heard at the high court in London in November, subject to a decision by the court of appeal as to whether it should proceed after an attempt by the Home Office to block it. The legal challenge in Scotland raises the prospect of a similar situation arising as in the case of Boris Johnson's decision to prorogue parliament,"

Craig Murray has served notice in Scotland challenging the proscription of Palestine Action. The Scottish action is separate from a judicial review lodged at the high court in London and could lead to the ban being declared unlawful in Scotland but lawful in England and Wales. Defend Our Juries warned that divergent rulings would create a constitutional crisis. Murray served notice to the Scottish solicitor general, Ruth Charteris KC, and a preliminary hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Murray argues the proscription breaches European Convention rights to freedom of speech and assembly and that Palestine Action was not consulted. A separate judicial review by Huda Ammori is due in November and the case echoes the prorogation dispute that produced conflicting Scottish and English rulings before the UK supreme court resolved the matter.

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