UK government lawyers use ‘secret evidence’ to justify ban on Palestine Action
Judges hear secret evidence as lawyers and public for Palestine-Action co-founder told to leave court during closed session
The UK government closed the final day of the judicial review into Palestine Action by presenting secret evidence, hidden from both the group’s lawyers and the public, to justify its ban on the direct-action organisation.
Following brief open-court submissions from government lawyers on Tuesday, the court asked lawyers representing Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, as well as members of the public and journalists, to leave.
A portion of Tuesday’s hearing was held in closed session to allow the government to present material it says cannot be disclosed on national security grounds.
During these closed proceedings, known as closed material procedures (CMP), Ammori and her legal team replaced by a special advocate appointed by Ammori.
However, the special advocate is not permitted to share the government’s submissions with Ammori or her lawyers.
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