Faber halts UK supply of Sally Rooney’s books over earnings law
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Faber says it can no longer supply Sally Rooney’s books in the UK, citing legislation that could prevent it from passing her UK earnings on to her. Rooney agreed with the publisher’s decision, which follows her stated intention to continue supporting Palestine Action after the UK proscribed the group under terrorism laws.
Rooney, who lives in Ireland, said Palestine Action is not prohibited there and that she accepts the consequences of her beliefs. Faber says it will continue selling her work elsewhere. The group was proscribed after alleged members damaged two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton; five suspects are due to stand trial next year, while the ban has prompted a High Court challenge and arrests at protests.
- Faber will stop supplying Rooney’s books in the UK.
- Rooney agreed after publicly backing Palestine Action.
- Faber says her books will remain available elsewhere.
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Sally Rooney is an Irish novelist whose books, including Normal People, have been widely read in the UK and abroad. Her publisher, Faber, handles the UK editions and sales of her work.
Palestine Action is a protest group whose members have targeted companies linked to Israel’s arms industry. The UK government proscribed it under terrorism laws, making membership and support for the group criminal offences in the UK; the decision has been challenged in court.
The dispute touches on how the law applies to public support for a proscribed group and to money earned from book sales. Rooney lives in Ireland, where the group is not proscribed, while her books have readers and sales in several countries.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The proscription reflects the state’s duty to protect the public from politically motivated violence and to restrict support for organisations it considers terrorist. If UK law could make transferring royalties unlawful, Faber may reasonably avoid legal risk, while Rooney’s support could be seen as legitimising a group whose methods and aims the government judges dangerous.
The case against
Critics may argue that proscription and its consequences can chill peaceful political speech and impose severe penalties without resolving disputes about the group’s aims or conduct. Rooney’s supporters may see her position as principled solidarity with a cause she considers legitimate, and the loss of access to her books in the UK as an excessive consequence for expressing that view.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Sally Rooney’s books are no longer available in the UK due to her backing for Palestine Action”.