Enforcing anti-terror legislation in Northern Ireland over the banned group Palestine Action would lead to questions about why similar measures are not taken against republicans.

That is the view put forward by the TUV, in response to a lack of PSNI intervention to enforce the Terrorism Act at two Northern Irish protests on Saturday – in “stark contrast” to the police approach in London.

Instead the PSNI said that officers had been gathering evidence, with a sole arrest being made over common assault, rather than relation to terrorism.

Meanwhile former police officer-turned-MLA Jon Burrows said that whilst standing back and monitoring the scene is a valid tactic, it is preferable to make arrests at the time.

placeholder image — Police remove a suspect from the Defend Our Juries protest in support of Palestine Action at The Peace Garden, Tavistock Square, central London on Saturday; at similar demonstrations in Northern Ireland, police did not intervene: Lucy North/PA Wire

DUP MLA Trevor Clarke said the episode raises “serious questions” for the PSNI.

Palestine Action was proscribed in UK law in July 2025, since when thousands of people have been arrested for publicly backing it in Great Britain.

Section 13 of the Terrorism Act means it is illegal to “wear an item of clothing, or wear, carry or display an article in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that [you are] a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation” (including publishing images online).

The TUV said in a statement: “The PSNI’s statement confirms exactly what the public could already see with their own eyes: despite open displays of support for a proscribed terrorist organisation, the only arrest made was for another offence.

"The contrast with London could not be starker.

“Once again, Northern Ireland is treated differently.

"The authorities in Great Britain enforced the law.

"Here, the PSNI stood back, even while they claimed to be engaged in ‘evidence-gathering’.

"We have heard such language before in relation to republican events where IRA symbols, slogans and glorification have gone unchallenged. The pattern is familiar.

“It must also be remembered that Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where a convicted terrorist – Old Bailey bomber Gerry Kelly – has sat on the policing oversight board.

"Sinn Fein continue to defend and celebrate the IRA’s terrorist campaign, and the PSNI know full well that once they act decisively against Palestine Action supporters, serious questions will be asked as to why similar displays of support for terrorists by a party of government are routinely ignored.

“This is yet another example of how the so-called peace process has distorted the administration of justice in Northern Ireland.”

Sinn Fein has been contacted for comment.

DUP Policing Board member Mr Clarke MLA meanwhile said: “There are serious questions that remain over the PSNI operation on Saturday.

“If participants displayed slogans explicitly supporting a proscribed organisation, the public will want to understand why immediate action was taken in London but not in Northern Ireland.

"Consistency in how terrorism legislation is applied is essential for maintaining public confidence.

"The PSNI has confirmed that they will now review footage and consider potential offences.

"While that is welcome, people will rightly ask why this was not addressed at the time.

“I will be seeking further explanation from the PSNI as to the rationale for their operational approach.

“The law must be upheld consistently and robustly, right across the United Kingdom.”

Mr Burrows, the former head of the PSNI's discipline branch, told the News Letter: “The PSNI has a statutory duty to uphold the rule of law and bring offenders to justice, and methods they utilise to do so are part of their operational discretion.

“However, it is vital that they do uphold the law.

"Gathering evidence and then assessing it is one tactic, but it brings problems such as identifying suspects after the operation, and it is always preferable, unless it is not possible, to obtain the names of suspects on the day to allow suspects to be dealt with swiftly.

“Terrorism offences are serious, and it is important that there is swift enforcement of the law if offences have been committed.”

In announcing the proscription of Palestine Action during the summer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had said: “Since its inception in 2020, Palestine Action has orchestrated a nationwide campaign of direct criminal action against businesses and institutions, including key national infrastructure and defence firms that provide services and supplies to support Ukraine, NATO, Five Eyes allies and the UK defence enterprise.

"Its activity has increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence.”

The group Defend Our Juries, which organised the protests, said: “In order to keep the peace, the police in the North of Ireland regularly turn a blind eye to those showing support for proscribed loyalist or republican groups which have murdered hundreds of people.

“So it is completely disproportionate that the PSNI have been arresting people and sending warning letters for allegedly showing support for a domestic protest group [which] has killed no-one and was proscribed only on the basis of criminal damage.”