Sally Rooney books withdrawn from UK sale
Faber says it can no longer pass British earnings to the Irish novelist because of her support for the proscribed group Palestine Action.
Sally Rooney’s publisher, Faber, has agreed with the novelist to stop supplying her books in the UK in any format. The decision follows Rooney’s public support for Palestine Action, which the British government proscribed under terrorism legislation in July 2025.
Faber said current legislation meant it could not pass UK earnings from Rooney’s work to the author. Rather than continue supplying the books while withholding those payments, the publisher said it had decided, with Rooney’s agreement, to stop supplying them in Britain.
The announcement concerns the publisher’s distribution decision, not a government order removing Rooney’s novels from bookshops. It also does not amount to a court ruling against Rooney. The immediate effect is that Faber will no longer supply her work for UK sales, although the announcement does not specify how existing stock held by booksellers will be treated.
Rooney is the author of four novels: Conversations with Friends, Normal People, Beautiful World, Where Are You and Intermezzo. The BBC has also adapted her first two novels for television. Faber’s statement covered her works in any format, rather than only printed books.
Rooney has said she supports Palestine Action and intends to direct proceeds from her novels and television work towards the group. She has also said that she accepts the consequences of making her position public. Her publisher’s decision followed that stated position and the legal restrictions attached to the group’s status in the UK.
The Home Office proscribed Palestine Action in July 2025 after arguing that serious criminal damage linked to the group met the legal threshold for proscription. Under the Terrorism Act 2000, membership of a proscribed organisation and inviting or expressing support for it can constitute criminal offences. The government’s assessment is contested by civil-liberties campaigners and by those challenging the order.
The legal position is still being tested. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service says the Court of Appeal in England and Wales held in June that the Home Secretary had been entitled to proscribe Palestine Action and that a fair balance had been struck between the proscription and freedom of expression and association. The UK Supreme Court has granted a limited appeal, with a hearing listed for 4 and 5 November.
That timetable means the dispute over the group’s status remains unsettled, even though the proscription remains in force. For publishers, the case raises a practical question about whether royalty payments can be made when an author has publicly supported a proscribed organisation. For readers, it also exposes the distinction between a state ban on an organisation and a private publisher’s decision to stop supplying an author’s work.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Faber and Rooney agreed that the publisher would stop supplying her works in the UK.
- Faber said it could not pass UK earnings to Rooney under current legislation.
- Palestine Action is proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000.
- The legality of the proscription remains subject to a limited Supreme Court appeal.
Left
Arguments The state should not allow counter-terrorism powers to produce a de facto restriction on an author’s work or chill political expression.
Values Freedom of speech, civil liberties and the independence of culture from government pressure.
Consequences The decision could discourage writers, publishers and artists from expressing unpopular political views and narrow the range of ideas available to readers.
Centre
Arguments The law must be applied consistently, but publishers should distinguish between proscribing an organisation and suppressing books, while courts examine proportionality.
Values Rule of law, due process and institutional restraint.
Consequences A cautious approach may protect both public safety and cultural freedom, but it leaves publishers facing difficult legal and contractual questions.
Right
Arguments If Parliament has lawfully proscribed a group because of serious criminal conduct, businesses should not be expected to route money or support towards it through an author’s royalties.
Values Public security, democratic authority and equal enforcement of terrorism law.
Consequences Allowing payments to continue could weaken the effect of proscription, although the government must still avoid treating political disagreement alone as terrorism.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Priya Shah — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article distinguishes Faber’s voluntary supply decision from the government’s proscription of Palestine Action. Legal claims and the appeal timetable are supported by official UK sources.
- confirmed Faber will no longer supply Rooney’s works in the UK in any format, with her agreement. — Reported from statements by Faber and Rooney. source
- confirmed Faber said it could not pass UK earnings to Rooney under current legislation. — Reported from Faber’s statement. source
- confirmed Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK government in July 2025. — Confirmed by the Home Office’s official proscribed-groups list. source
- confirmed The Court of Appeal upheld the Home Secretary’s power to proscribe Palestine Action, and the Supreme Court appeal is listed for 4 and 5 November 2026. — Confirmed by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service case record. source
- confirmed Rooney has written four novels, including Normal People and Intermezzo. — Reported by the Associated Press. source
Editor's note
Faber’s withdrawal and Rooney’s agreement are confirmed by AP. The UK proscription and current appeal timetable are confirmed by official sources; the government’s characterisation of Palestine Action is clearly attributed.Sources
- Sally Rooney’s publisher withdraws her books from UK sale over support for Palestine Action — Associated Press
- Three groups to be proscribed — Home Office, GOV.UK
- Proscribed terrorist groups or organisations — Home Office, GOV.UK
- Case: P1017/25 — Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
More on this in other media
- iNews — „sally rooney”
- BBC News — „sally rooney”
- The Guardian — „sally rooney”