Moment police swoop on Palestine Action mob as four arrested after MPs' vote

Four people, including "a man who blocked the gates of Downing Street with his mobility scooter", have been arrested "in the vicinity" of a Westminster protest by Palestine Action, the Metropolitan Police has said. Palestine Action supporters descended on central London on Wednesday afternoon as MPs were voting to proscribe the group as a terrorist organisation.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Officers have made four arrests in the vicinity of the Palestine Action protest taking place in Westminster this evening. Public Order Act conditions had been imposed to prevent serious disruption, requiring anyone taking part in the protest to assemble on Richmond Terrace, off Whitehall. A man who blocked the gates of Downing Street with his mobility scooter and refused to move to the conditioned area was arrested for breaching the conditions.

"A woman who locked herself onto a suitcase outside the gates of Parliament has also been arrested for breaching the conditions and for being in possession of articles intended for locking-on.

"A man who was with her and refused to move to the conditioned area was arrested for breaching the conditions.

"A fourth man has also been arrested for breaching conditions."

News of the arrests came after legislation to proscribe direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was supported by the Commons.

MPs voted 385 to 26, majority 359 in favour of the Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2025.

The motion is expected to be debated and voted on by the House of Lords on Thursday before it becomes law.