Six people have been charged with offences under the Terrorism Act in connection with alleged efforts to support the proscribed organisation Palestine Action. They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 4 September.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the charges relate to public gatherings in London, Manchester and Cardiff between 12 July and 9 August, as well as 13 Zoom meetings held between 10 July and 21 August at which support for Palestine Action was allegedly encouraged or meetings were organised to that effect. A further planned gathering in London on Saturday 6 September is also referenced in the charging decision.
According to the CPS, the defendants are:
• Timothy Crosland, 55, from Southwark, London, charged with three counts of addressing a meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and three counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
• Patrick Friend, 26, from Grange, Edinburgh, charged with two counts of managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation and one count of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
• Gwen Harrison, 48, from Kendal, Cumbria, charged with four counts of addressing a meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
• David Nixon, 39, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, charged with five counts of managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation, one count of addressing a meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
• Dawn Manners, 56, from Hackney, London, charged with three counts of managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation, two counts of addressing a meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and two counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
• Melanie Griffith, 62, from Southwark, London, charged with seven counts of addressing a meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and four counts of assisting in arranging a meeting knowing the purpose was to support a proscribed organisation.
The investigation is being led by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command with support from regional counter-terrorism units. Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan said the case arose from a proactive inquiry into suspected activity linked to Palestine Action. She added that those found guilty of Terrorism Act offences face “potentially serious consequences” and urged anyone considering showing public support for a proscribed group to reconsider.
In a separate, connected development in Scotland, a 59-year-old man, Anthony Harvey, appeared in private at Oban Sheriff Court on Wednesday accused of addressing a private meeting to encourage support for a proscribed organisation. He made no plea and was granted bail pending further examination.
Legal and policy context
Palestine Action was added to the UK list of proscribed organisations on 11 July 2025. Under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, it is an offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation, or to arrange or address a meeting where the purpose is to encourage support for such an organisation. The Home Office’s proscription list update of 11 July records the addition of Palestine Action.
Protests and prior arrests
The latest charges come ahead of a protest planned for Saturday in Parliament Square, where organisers say they expect more than 1,000 participants holding placards stating, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
Over the summer, police have made large numbers of arrests at demonstrations related to the proscription. The Metropolitan Police said 47 additional people were notified of charges this week, bringing the total charged in London to 114 in relation to alleged support for Palestine Action. Separate reporting has put the number of arrests across recent weeks at more than 700.
The CPS said it worked closely with the Metropolitan Police on the present case and reminded the public that proceedings are active and the defendants have the right to a fair trial. It urged that no reporting or online commentary should occur that could prejudice those proceedings.
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