Sally Rooney's UK Book Sales Withdrawn After Publisher Cites Criminal Liability Over Palestine Action Support
Unbiased summary
Irish author Sally Rooney and her UK publisher Faber have jointly decided to stop supplying her books in the UK because her continued support for Palestine Action, which the UK government proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July 2025, could expose the publisher to criminal liability for passing royalties to her. Rooney stated in August 2025 that she would direct proceeds from her UK sales to Palestine Action, which is not illegal in the Republic of Ireland. As a result, digital editions have been withdrawn, while existing physical stock in shops remains on sale. Faber said it cannot pass on UK earnings to Rooney under current legislation and will continue selling her work elsewhere.
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Coverage by outlet
Morning Star
left
Angle
Frames Rooney as a principled activist being 'forced' to withdraw her books by unjust UK terrorism laws, emphasising her courage and the political nature of the story.
Bias
Uses emotive language such as 'forced to withdraw' and highlights Rooney's willingness to 'accept the consequences', casting her sympathetically. It omits details about the proscription's legal basis and the fact that supporting a proscribed group is a criminal offence, while also trailing an unrelated piece about 'US persecution', reinforcing a left-wing narrative of state repression.
The Guardian
left
Angle
Presents Rooney as a high-profile defender of free expression facing severe consequences, with a focus on her legal challenge to the proscription and her fears of arrest.
Bias
Emphasises Rooney's literary acclaim and her warning that books could 'disappear' from UK stores, framing the story around freedom of expression. It downplays the fact that Palestine Action is a banned terrorist organisation and that supporting it is a criminal offence, instead focusing on her personal motivations and the impact on her career.
BBC News
centre-left
Angle
Provides a largely factual, balanced report focused on the practical and commercial consequences for Rooney, her publisher, and booksellers, with minimal political framing.
Bias
Stays close to the facts, including sales figures and statements from Faber and Waterstones. It does not editorialise on the rights or wrongs of the proscription, though it does include Rooney's own framing that further publication could be a 'serious criminal offence'. The coverage is neutral but relies heavily on statements from Rooney and Faber.
Daily Mail
right
Angle
Frames Rooney as a wealthy celebrity whose support for a terrorist group has forced her books out of UK shops, emphasising the criminality and potential prison sentence.
Bias
Repeatedly labels Palestine Action a 'terrorist group' and stresses that support is 'punishable by up to 14 years in prison', portraying Rooney's actions as reckless. It includes details like her age and residence, and features photos of protests, but omits her stated reasons for supporting the group or any context about her legal challenge. The tone is critical and focuses on the consequences of her actions.
GB News
right
Angle
Presents the withdrawal as a direct result of Rooney's backing for a 'proscribed terrorist organisation', with a tone of matter-of-fact consequence and minimal sympathy for her position.
Bias
Emphasises the terrorist designation and criminal offence aspect, while noting Rooney's legal position in Ireland but without exploring the free-expression argument. It includes her statement but frames it as a self-inflicted outcome. The report is largely factual but selects details that stress the severity of supporting a banned group, aligning with a right-leaning law-and-order perspective.