Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, CMAT and others sign open letter in support of Sally Rooney

Jessie Buckley, CMAT, Susan Sarandon, and KNEECAP are among names that have signed an open letter in support of Sally Rooney. The New Statesman used the letter as their cover for this week.

Normal People stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, Conversations With Friends actress Alison Oliver, and director Lenny Abrahamson all signed the letter.

A number of writers also showed their support for the author including Colm Tóibín, Anne Carson, Marian Keyes, Seamas O'Reilly, and Anne Enright.

The open letter is directed to the UK government.

"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.⁠"

 

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Sally Rooney previously said she would continue to support Palestine Action through proceeds from her book sales and television adaptations. The group was classed as a terrorist organisation in July 2025.

However, in a statement to RTÉ, the Intermezzo author said that continuing to publish her work in the UK could now constitute a serious criminal offence.

Rooney's publisher Faber said current UK legislation meant it is unable to pass on earnings from UK sales to Rooney.

"To sell a writer's work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher," the publisher wrote in a statement.

"As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the UK in any format."

Following the classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, over 3,700 people are believed to have been arrested for alleged support of the group. The majority were detained for holding placards saying: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action."