Paul Mescal speaks out as Sally Rooney’s books banned over ‘supporting terror’ allegations
Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones are just two actors to speak out in support of author Sally Rooney after her books were banned from being sold in the UK.
The Irish author has been told that future publication of her works in the UK could constitute 'a serious criminal offence', after she used her royalties to support Palestine Action.
Rooney has achieved fame with her huge hits Conversations With Friends and Normal People - the latter of which kickstarted Edgar-Jones' and Mescal's acting careers.
The author made it clear that she would continue supporting the pro-Palestine group, which Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the summer of 2025.
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However, the group has not been proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Rooney's native Republic of Ireland.
Speaking to the BBC, Rooney said: "I have made every effort to be honest with the public about my beliefs and intentions, and I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences."
Paul Mescal is among many to speak out in support of Sally Rooney
Fans of Rooney's work and those that have benefitted from her literature are clearly not as willing to lie down in the face of the decision, with Normal People stars Mescal and Edgar-Jones among those that have signed a letter from the New Statesman protesting the decision.
It states: "Sally Rooney is a writer, not a terrorist. Her books must be available to the public. Their withdrawal from sale, on the basis of ill-conceived and draconian anti-terror legislation, is an affront to basic principles of free speech and expression so long taken for granted in this country.
"We categorically reject censorship – whether direct or indirect – and urge the government to change course, amending the legislation which has led us to this point of repressive absurdity."
Other names to have signed the list include Oscar-winners Jessie Buckley, Tilda Swinton and Susan Sarandon.
Publisher Faber told BBC News: "Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work.
"To sell a writer's work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher. As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format."
Faber added: "We remain the proud publisher of her remarkable body of work, which we will continue to sell in other territories."
Sally Rooney's statement on the matter
Her full statement, which was released on Wednesday and has been seen by LADbible, read: "In July 2025, the direct-action protest group Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
"The following month, I wrote an opinion piece expressing my intention to go on supporting Palestine Action, which is not a proscribed or otherwise prohibited group here in the Republic of Ireland."
Rooney even cancelled a visit to the UK recently over fears that she could be arrested.
She added: "As a result, the fulfilment of contracts to publish my work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence. After a process of consultation and deliberation, and with my full agreement, my publisher Faber has therefore determined that it can no longer supply my work within the UK.
"I have made every effort to be honest with the public about my beliefs and intentions, and I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences."
LADbible has contacted Faber Publishing and The New Statesman for comment
Topics: Sally Rooney, UK News, Ireland
James Moorhouse