Sally Rooney's Books Withdrawn from UK Sale Over Palestine Action Support
Unbiased summary
Irish author Sally Rooney and her publisher Faber have agreed to stop supplying her books in the UK because her support for Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025, could make the fulfilment of publishing contracts a criminal offence. Rooney had stated she would use UK royalties to support the group, which is not banned in Ireland. Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to her under current legislation. Existing physical stock in bookshops remains on sale, but ebook editions have been removed. Rooney's books have sold over 2.3 million copies in the UK.
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Coverage by outlet
Morning Star
left
Angle
Frames Rooney as a victim of UK government persecution for her political beliefs.
Bias
Emphasises that Rooney is 'forced' to withdraw books and highlights her courage, while downplaying that she chose to support a proscribed organisation and that the publisher agreed with the decision. It omits any mention of the terrorism legislation context or security concerns behind the proscription.
The Guardian
left
Angle
Presents Rooney as a principled artist facing legal consequences for her activism, with a focus on freedom of expression.
Bias
Highlights her statement and context of her legal challenge to the proscription, framing the situation as a threat to free speech. It includes more detail about her rationale but downplays the legal definition of supporting a proscribed group and omits any government justification for the ban.
BBC News
centre-left
Angle
Provides a largely factual report but leans towards a sympathetic portrayal of Rooney's predicament.
Bias
Emphasises the publisher's statement and commercial impact, noting existing stock is still available, which is more balanced. However, it focuses on Rooney's intentions and the 'unconscionable' situation for the publisher, while giving less attention to the legal and security context of proscription.