UK MP John McDonnell raises 'alarm' about arrest of journalists at Palestine Action protest

Labour MP John McDonnell has expressed alarm over the arrest of five journalists at a Palestine Action protest in Leicester. McDonnell, who tabled a motion in the UK parliament, described the arrests as "police overreach" and a "deeply concerning threat to the basic right of journalists to undertake the vital role they play in our democracy."

The journalists, including two Leicester Gazette reporters and two union-accredited freelancers, were arrested on October 8 under the Terrorism Act while covering a demonstration outside UAV Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of the Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. They were detained for three hours and released after providing their personal information, despite already identifying themselves with press credentials to multiple officers.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has also expressed concern, stating that journalists have a vital role in society and that their arrests and intimidation are a breach of basic human rights.