Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones Support Sally Rooney After UK Book Ban
Actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have joined other cultural figures in signing an open letter defending Irish author Sally Rooney. The support follows a publisher decision to withdraw her books from the United Kingdom due to anti-terrorism legislation. Readers have rushed to purchase remaining stocks as supplies dwindle. The controversy stems from Rooney writing an opinion column in The Irish Times last summer expressing support for Palestine Action. Under the UK Terrorism Act, supporting banned organisations is an offence, prompting authors and actors to condemn the legal measures targeting the writer.
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- ✓ Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones signed an open letter supporting Sally Rooney.
- ✓ Sally Rooney's books were withdrawn from the UK after her publisher stopped supplying them.
- ✓ The publisher withdrawal follows Rooney writing an opinion column in The Irish Times sharing her support for Palestine Action last summer.
- ✓ Palestine Action is banned under the UK Terrorism Act, making support for the organisation an offence.
What changed
Actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones co-signed an open letter defending Sally Rooney after her books were pulled from UK shelves.
Live updates
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Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones Support Sally Rooney in UK Open Letter
Actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have joined other cultural figures in signing an open letter defending Irish author Sally Rooney. The support follows a publisher decision to withdraw her books from the United Kingdom due to anti-terrorism legislation. Readers have rushed to purchase remaining stocks as supplies dwindle. The controversy stems from Rooney writing an opinion column in The Irish Times last summer expressing support for Palestine Action. Under the UK Terrorism Act, supporting banned organisations is an offence, prompting authors and actors to condemn the legal measures targeting the writer.
Why it matters
The withdrawal of Sally Rooney's books highlights growing friction between UK counter-terrorism laws and creative expression. Palestine Action has been banned under the UK Terrorism Act, making expressions of support legally hazardous for authors and publishers. The open letter signed by prominent television and film stars rejects the application of these laws to literary figures.
What is confirmed
- Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones signed an open letter supporting Sally Rooney.
- Sally Rooney's books were withdrawn from the UK after her publisher stopped supplying them.
- The publisher withdrawal follows Rooney writing an opinion column in The Irish Times sharing her support for Palestine Action last summer.
- Palestine Action is banned under the UK Terrorism Act, making support for the organisation an offence.
- Director Lenny Abrahamson and actors Jessie Buckley and Kneecap also signed the open letter.
What to watch next
- Decisions by other international publishers regarding Sally Rooney's distribution
- Potential legal challenges or clarifications regarding the UK Terrorism Act application to authors
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (19)
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- flipboard.com — Beloved singer’s wife killed after welcoming robbery suspects with lemonade
- The Free Press — Sally Rooney Hates Novels
- The Atlantic — Sally Rooney Is Wrong, and So Is What’s Happening to Her
- The Economist — Blighty newsletter: The tinpot “terrorists”
- New Statesman — Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist
- Variety — Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones Support Sally Rooney After UK Book Ban
- The Guardian — ‘It feels quite frightening’: readers rush to snap up Sally Rooney books as stocks dwindle amid Palestine Action ban
- Al Jazeera — Actors, writers condemn UK anti-terror law targeting Sally Rooney
- www.irishtimes.com — Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley sign letter supporting Sally Rooney after UK books withdrawn
- variety.com — Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones Support Sally Rooney After UK Book Ban - Variety
- The Times of Israel — Authors urge UK to halt ‘draconian’ Palestine Action ban as Rooney sales end
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