Public figures sign open letter supporting author Sally Rooney after book ban

Public figures have signed an open letter to the United Kingdom government in support of Irish author Sally Rooney after her books were withdrawn from sale in the country, independent.ie, thejournal.ie, and the Irish Independent reported. The signatories declared that they categorically reject censorship and urged the government to change course, describing Rooney as a writer and not a terrorist, according to independent.ie and the Irish Independent. [1][3][6][8][11]

The open letter was signed by English sports broadcaster Gary Lineker, Irish musician CMAT, and three Nobel literature laureates, independent.ie, The Telegraph, and thejournal.ie reported. The letter was also backed by the director and stars of the television adaptation of Normal People, including Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Jessie Buckley, as well as a number of Irish writers, according to thejournal.ie and The Express Tribune. [1][2][3][6][7][9][10][11]

The pushback follows the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the United Kingdom Terrorism Act 2000, according to the South China Morning Post and earlier reports by FTMQ News. British Minister of State for Skills Baroness Jacqui Smith stated that actions have consequences regarding the group, the South China Morning Post reported. Rooney withdrew her books from sale in the United Kingdom because anti-terrorism laws prevent her publisher, Faber and Faber, from paying her royalties following her support for Palestine Action, as FTMQ News reported earlier. [4][13]

Media outlets including The Atlantic noted that the situation reflects broader concerns over the suppression of speech in Britain. The Atlantic reported that people do not have to agree with the author and activist to see that the suppression of speech by Britain is a problem. [5]