A senior Labour MP has been accused of trying to get Green party leader Zack Polanski to commit a criminal offence by asking him if he supports Palestine Action.

After the government had won its appeal to maintain the ban on the direct action group on Monday, Polanski posted on X raising concerns about the branding of protest as terrorism.

Labour MP and home office minister Mike Tapp replied to Polanski’s post, asking: “Do you support the Palestine Action group?”

Multiple commentators responded to Tapp’s post raising concerns that he was trying to trick Polanski into saying something illegal.

Under the Terrorism Act, expressing support for Palestine Action is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Journalist Owen Jones wrote: “Mike Tapp is trying to coax Zack Polanski into saying he supports Palestine Action. That’s so he can get a political opponent arrested for their opinions.

“That tells you all you need to know about this government and their hideously sinister law.”

Tapp is a vocal supporter of the proscription of Palestine Action, as well as a longstanding supporter of the state of Israel. He was appointed as a co-honorary vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel in 2024, and in 2025 criticised prime minister Keir Starmer’s move to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Novara Media has approached Tapp for comment.

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