Full list of celebrities and public figures to sign open letter against Sally Rooney book ban

Sally Rooney has received backing from some of the biggest names in entertainment and literature after a dispute over her support for Palestine Action put the availability of her books in the UK in question.

Last week, publisher Faber & Faber confirmed it had reached an agreement with the Irish author to stop supplying her books in Britain, in any format.

The move followed concerns about the legal implications of Rooney’s support for Palestine Action, which the UK Government banned under terrorism legislation in July 2025.

Rooney has since made clear that she intends to continue supporting the organisation, which is not proscribed in the Republic of Ireland.

She has also warned that fulfilling publishing contracts in the UK could now constitute a criminal offence.

‘She is a writer, not a terrorist’

The controversy has prompted a group of prominent public figures to speak out in her defence.

An open letter supporting Rooney features on the cover of this week’s New Statesman, with its signatories criticising the consequences of the Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action.

Among those who have signed are Gary Lineker, Normal People actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, music group Young Fathers, Tilda Swinton and author Irvine Welsh.

Their intervention comes just two weeks before the Supreme Court is due to hear a case concerning Palestine Action’s proscription.

In the letter, the group writes: “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.”