Reported by 4 sources

The short version

  • Sally Rooney’s UK publisher Faber has ceased supplying her books to British retailers following her public support for Palestine Action.
  • Rooney argues that receiving royalties while supporting a proscribed organization could violate Section 15 of the Terrorism Act, which criminalizes providing funds for terrorism.
  • The author previously cancelled a trip to the UK to accept an award due to fears of arrest, citing the legal risks associated with her political stance.

Irish novelist Sally Rooney has announced that her books are no longer available for sale in the United Kingdom, a decision driven by legal concerns surrounding her support for the direct-action group Palestine Action. In a statement provided to The Guardian, Rooney explained that her publisher, Faber, determined it could not continue to supply her work within the UK because doing so might constitute a serious criminal offence under current British law.

The controversy stems from Rooney’s public declaration last year that she would use proceeds from her book sales to support Palestine Action. The group was proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK in July 2025. While Rooney noted that the group is not prohibited in the Republic of Ireland, where she resides, the ban in Britain creates significant legal exposure for anyone facilitating financial flows to the organization.

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Section 15 of the Terrorism Act makes it an offence to provide money or property if a person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect it will be used for terrorism purposes. The statute carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Rooney stated that after consultation and deliberation, Faber concluded that passing on UK earnings to her could breach these provisions given her stated intentions regarding the funds.

Rooney emphasized her commitment to transparency about her beliefs and her willingness to accept the consequences. She wrote that she has made every effort to be honest with the public about her intentions. The withdrawal of her books represents a tangible impact of the proscription on freedom of expression, a point Rooney highlighted in a high court statement supporting a legal challenge against the ban.

The decision affects some of the most commercially successful titles in recent British publishing history. Rooney’s debut novel, Normal People, has sold more than one million copies in the UK. Her subsequent works, Conversations With Friends and Beautiful World, Where Are You, have each surpassed 500,000 sales. These figures underscore the scale of the withdrawal from British shelves.

Rooney’s literary presence in the UK extends beyond print. Normal People and Conversations With Friends were adapted by the BBC, with the former becoming the broadcaster’s most-streamed series of 2020, accumulating 62.7 million views. However, Rooney revealed last year that she was advised by an independent producer that any payment for those adaptations would also breach terrorism laws if there was suspicion the royalties would fund Palestine Action.

The legal risks have already altered Rooney’s professional activities in Britain. She previously cancelled a trip to the UK to collect an award, citing fear of arrest. Her publisher Faber stated that current legislation has led to circumstances where they cannot pass on UK earnings to the author. The situation highlights the complex intersection of artistic expression, political activism, and national security laws.

While Rooney’s books remain available in Ireland and other markets, their absence from the UK marks a significant disruption for readers and retailers. The case illustrates how proscription orders can extend beyond direct funding mechanisms to affect broader commercial transactions involving supporters of banned groups. Legal experts continue to debate the scope of Section 15 and its application to indirect financial support.

Rooney’s stance has drawn attention to the chilling effect of terrorism legislation on public discourse. By withdrawing her work, she aims to avoid criminal liability while maintaining her political principles. The outcome remains uncertain as legal challenges to the proscription of Palestine Action proceed through the courts, potentially reshaping how such bans are enforced in the future.

The publishing industry faces difficult questions about compliance and complicity when authors’ political affiliations conflict with national security designations. Faber’s decision reflects a cautious approach to regulatory risk, prioritizing legal safety over continued distribution. For Rooney, the move is framed as an inevitable consequence of her refusal to separate her art from her activism.

Sources behind this briefing

Go to the original reporting

  • The Guardian US↗Sally Rooney says she can no longer sell books in UK due to Palestine Action support
  • The Guardian↗Sally Rooney says she can no longer sell books in UK due to Palestine Action support
  • Reuters↗Sally Rooney's books no longer sold in UK over support for banned pro-Palestinian group
  • RTE.ie↗Sally Rooney's books to be withdrawn from sale in the UK