Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones & Jessie Buckley Among Signatories Of Open Letter Supporting Sally Rooney After UK Book Ban
Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones and other public figures have signed an open letter backing novelist Sally Rooney after her books were withdrawn from sale in the UK. The signatories say the decision threatens free expression and urge the government to change the legislation behind it.
The dispute follows Rooney’s stated intention to give proceeds from her book sales to Palestine Action, which the UK proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July 2025. Her publisher, Faber & Faber, says anti-terrorism laws prevent it from passing her earnings on to her. Rooney’s Normal People has sold more than one million UK copies, while two other novels have each sold more than 500,000.
In short
- Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones signed a letter supporting Sally Rooney.
- Rooney’s books were withdrawn from UK sale over her support for Palestine Action.
- The signatories call the decision a threat to free expression.