Haughton and Davies Send Royalties to Sally Rooney — SkimNews
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- Chris Haughton, Ireland’s children’s literature laureate, will donate royalties from his UK book sales to Sally Rooney, saying the block on her receiving royalties exposes the “absurdity” of the law and makes it a mockery.
- Nicola Davies, Wales’s children’s laureate, will donate the half-year royalties from The Day War Came to Rooney, saying she cannot ignore Gaza’s children and comparing Gaza’s size to Flintshire.
- Sally Rooney stopped selling books in the UK after saying proceeds from her sales would support Palestine Action; Normal People and Conversations with Friends are among the titles affected.
- Palestine Action became the first direct action group proscribed under the UK Terrorism Act in July last year, placing it in the same category as al-Qaida and Boko Haram; knowingly providing money where there is reasonable cause to suspect terrorist use carries up to 14 years in prison.
- Chris Haughton said he has twice been arrested for holding placards allegedly supporting Palestine Action, with the alleged offence carrying a maximum six-month prison sentence.
- Andy Burnham said at Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions that the proscription followed a rigorous, evidence-based process endorsed by parliament, but declined further comment because the Supreme Court is due to hear a challenge on 4 and 5 November alleging disproportionate interference with expression and protest.
Why it matters: Rooney gains royalties from fellow authors while UK sales of her own books remain blocked by the proscription; Haughton and Davies donate earnings from their own books. Their public backing comes as the Supreme Court is due to hear the challenge over interference with expression and protest on 4–5 November.
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