Greater Manchester Pro-Palestinian Group's Bank Account Frozen Amid Palestine Action Investigation
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine (GMFP) has reported that its Virgin Money bank account has been frozen indefinitely due to an investigation related to Palestine Action. The organisation, which emphasises peaceful activities such as protests, vigils, information stalls, and leafleting, states it has no affiliation with Palestine Action and that there have been no financial transactions between the groups.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green sent a letter to GMFP treasurer John Nicholson confirming that Greater Manchester Police had information indicating the account freeze was connected to the Palestine Action investigation. Nicholson highlighted that while GMFP supports Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, it has not provided financial or other support to Palestine Action and described the freezing of the account as an abuse of the proscription's intended scope.
Additionally, Nicholson's joint personal account with GMFP chair Norma Turner was closed by Yorkshire Building Society in September without explanation. This incident forms part of wider concerns about the broad impact of the proscription. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign's Unity Trust Bank account was similarly blocked around 24 June following the proscription announcement; although the block was briefly lifted, it was reinstated thereafter, illustrating issues faced by pro-Palestinian organisations in the UK.
