BRITAIN’S biggest police force was slammed today after it resumed arrests for holding signs in support of Palestine Action.

The Metropolitan Police said that it would no longer arrest protesters for backing the direct action group after the High Court ruled that its proscription was unlawful on February 25.

But late on Wednesday the Met announced that officers will resume arresting protesters because the Home Office’s appeal against the ruling is likely to take several months.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said: “Having now considered our position in light of that decision, taking into account all the circumstances, we have determined that while Palestine Action remains proscribed and support for it remains unlawful under the Terrorism Act, we must continue to enforce the law and this is likely to involve the arrest of those committing offences.”

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: “The Met has lost the plot. The Lift the Ban campaign against the unlawful proscription of Palestine Action was vindicated by the High Court, and yet they’re still going to arrest us on terrorism charges for peaceful protest even now. 

“Rather than admit that the arrest of a woman under the Terrorism Act on March 15 breached their own policy, they have now changed the policy to try to make it fit retrospectively. That’s just embarrassing.”

More than 2,700 people have been arrested for allegedly expressing support for Palestine Action since it was banned as a terrorist group last year.

Demonstrators were detained for holding up signs saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” in mass rallies organised by Defend Our Juries.

The trials of hundreds of people accused of holding up the placards have been put on hold while the legal battle over whether the group should have been banned rumbles on.

Earlier this month Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said the cases would be delayed until after the High Court Appeal over the ban is heard.

Proscription makes it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Defend Our Juries has called for another mass rally in Trafalgar Square on April 11.

The Court of Appeal is due to hear the appeal on April 28 and 29.