The neutralization by the PSC’s national leadership of one of its biggest branches appears to have been an attempt to quash its support for Palestinian resistance.

“Manchester Supports Palestinian Resistance,” the branch’s banner read, as activists took to the streets early in October.

Nearly two weeks later, the national PSC office suspended Manchester PSC’s chair, treasurer, secretary and campaigns officer without warning.

As well as the banner, the branch had also posted on its website on 7 October that “Palestinian freedom fighters from besieged Gaza broke Zionist colonial barriers and entered settlements built on stolen Palestinian land inside ‘48 Palestine.”