Here’s that New Statesman open letter, signed by the great and the good in the arts world:
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.
As shown yesterday, this is nonsense. There is no attack on free speech. Her books have been withdrawn by her publisher because Rooney decided that the profits would be given to Palestine Action, a proscribed group – which would entail possible legal consequences.
These are bright people and at least some of them must realise that their letter is vacuous. They have made a choice to go for rhetorical effect over substance.
That’s their right as artists, but its depressing that this is what their punters want. 2/3
They end by asking for legislation to be amended, but what should it say? Should raising funds for criminal activity be legalised, or should the law just not apply to books?
Come on, you’re bright people, use your words. 3/3
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