Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones Back ‘Normal People’ Author Sally Rooney After U.K. Book Ban Over Palestine Support

Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have joined 158 other public figures in defending author Sally Rooney after her books were withdrawn from sale in the UK. Their open letter says removing the novels over her support for Palestine Action threatens free speech and calls on the government to change the legislation behind the decision.

Rooney’s publisher, Faber, said it could not pass UK earnings from her work on to her, following the UK government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. It withdrew her books in all formats with Rooney’s agreement; she has said proceeds from her novels and television fees would continue to support the group. Other signatories include Susan Sarandon, Tilda Swinton, Jessie Buckley and Zadie Smith.