contempt of court

Yvette Cooper facing contempt of court allegations over Observer article

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https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025/08/18/yvette-cooper-observer-article

Featured image via the Canary

On Sunday 17 August, campaign group Defend Our Juries levelled a contempt of court complaint against the home secretary Yvette Cooper over an article in the Observer. Notably, this was after she made repeated insinuations that the government proscribed Palestine Action because of violence against people.

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In its letter to Attorney General, Defend Our Juries said of Yvette Cooper and her Observer column:

It is not only disingenuous to present this isolated case as characteristic of Palestine Action, it is a contempt of court that prevents fair trials of those who stand accused. Yvette Cooper’s comments have been widely publicised, such that it would be impossible to find a jury unaffected by them.

We are not naïve regarding the political obstacles to commencing contempt of court proceedings against the Home Secretary.

But if the rule of law means anything, it is that no-one is above the law, most particularly the rich and powerful, such as Elbit Systems UK and Yvette Cooper. It is particularly egregious for a Home Secretary to abuse their office in this way, to present a false and misleading picture of those who face serious criminal charges.

Cooper referred to Israel’s starvation and slaughter of the Palestinian people as “crimes against humanity” in her Observer article. She wrote that:

So anyone who wants to protest against the catastrophic humanitarian situation and crimes against humanity in Gaza, to oppose Israel’s military offensive, or to criticise the actions of any and every government, including our own, has the freedom to do so.

So far as Defend Our Juries are aware, this is the first time the government has formally recognised that Israel is committing crimes against humanity.

This recognition comes with profound consequences in terms of the legal obligations that ensue.

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Original article at https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025/08/18/yvette-cooper-observer-article

Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical publication 'Private Eye'.
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical publication ‘Private Eye’.
Keir "I support Zionism without Qualification" Starmer supporting genocide.
Keir “I support Zionism without Qualification” Starmer supporting genocide.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel's Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don't do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.
UK Labour Party government ministers Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves explain that they are partners complicit in Israel’s Gaza genocide. The UK has provided Israel with arms, military and air force support. They explain that they don’t do gas chambers but do do forced marches, starvation, destroy hospitals, mass-murders of journalists and healthcare workers.

Continue ReadingYvette Cooper facing contempt of court allegations over Observer article

Protests outside courts in England after activist charged over jury rights sign

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https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/25/protests-courts-england-activist-charged-jury-rights-sign

Demonstrators hold placards in response to contempt of court action against Trudi Warner, 68

Juries protest Bristol Crown Court 25 Sept 2023. Image by Jamie Bellinger.
Juries protest Bristol Crown Court 25 Sept 2023. Image by Jamie Bellinger.

Activists have protested outside crown courts in England against the contempt of court action being taken against a woman for holding up a placard on the rights of jurors.

In response to the decision by the solicitor general, a government law officer, to pursue Trudi Warner, 68, for contempt of court, scores of people gathered outside crown courts on Monday holding placards that pronounced on the rights of juries to acquit a defendant according to their consciences.

Abi Perrin, a scientist involved in the protest said: “In 2023 telling the truth is being treated as a criminal act, with people prosecuted for displaying facts in public, and imprisoned for explaining their motivations in their own defence in a court of law.

“I am deeply afraid of a world where truth, science and morality are not important, or where we are not free to fight for them.”

In Bristol three generations of one family held placards outside the crown court.

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While Warner faces a possible jail sentence, a separate police investigation is taking place into allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice relating to at least 12 people who also stood outside Inner London crown court in May holding similar placards.

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https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/25/protests-courts-england-activist-charged-jury-rights-sign

Trudi Warner is a climate activist charged over holding the sign outside a hearing of Insulate Britain activists.

Fears over right to protest after woman with sign at climate trial prosecuted

Continue ReadingProtests outside courts in England after activist charged over jury rights sign