Ken Loach screenwriter Paul Laverty arrested at pro-Palestinian protest

He wrote the screenplay for I, Daniel Blake , which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2016. He has just been arrested for "supporting a banned organization." Paul Laverty, Ken Loach 's favorite screenwriter, was arrested by Scottish police during a pro-Palestinian demonstration near Edinburgh on Monday, August 25.

"Following a protest outside St Leonards Police Station in Edinburgh on Monday, August 25, 2025, a 68-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 for demonstrating in support of a banned organization," police said, later specifying that the man was Paul Laverty.

According to the Scottish daily The National , which broke the story, Paul Laverty was participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration and was wearing a T-shirt with the following slogan: "Genocide in Palestine, time to take action." This phrase indirectly refers to the banned organization Palestine Action.

"The investigation is continuing," the same source added, without making further comments.

In mid-July, the Palestine Action group was banned and added to the UK's list of "terrorist" organizations after vandalism at an air force base.

Since then, more than 700 people have been arrested and around sixty will be prosecuted for demonstrating their support for the organization, including by holding placards at rallies. Under the anti-terrorism law, this offense can lead to up to six months in prison.

Paul Laverty is best known for his artistic partnership with 89-year-old filmmaker Ken Loach. He notably wrote the screenplays for the films I, Daniel Blake (2016) and The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006), both of which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2023, Paul Laverty directed The Old Oak , Ken Loach's latest film, which premiered on the Croisette but left empty-handed. Both men are supporters of the Palestinian cause.