Watan-The Times newspaper reported that the UK Home Office has rejected a formal legal request submitted on behalf of the Palestinian movement Hamas to lift its designation as a terrorist organization in Britain.
The legal challenge, led by the now-closed law firm Riverway to the Sea, argued that the designation violates the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly the right to freedom of expression, and hinders British obligations to act against genocide, referring to the situation in Gaza.
Hamas also claimed the ban prevents its participation in political mediation, obstructing potential efforts for a long-term settlement to the war in Gaza. The group maintained that it poses no threat to UK citizens, and thus the designation is disproportionate and politically motivated.
UK Government Response
In its official response, the Home Office said:“The government regularly reviews the list of proscribed organizations. While we do not routinely comment on specific cases, we confirm that Hamas remains a banned organization.”
Hamas was originally partially proscribed in 2001, with only its military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, designated at the time. The full organization, including the political wing, was added to the banned list in 2021 by then-Home Secretary Priti Patel, who argued there is no distinction between the political and military arms of Hamas.
Legal and Institutional Path
Hamas’s legal team, led by Fahad Ansari and Frank Megens, had hoped to convince the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC) that the Home Office’s rejection was legally flawed.
However, only four organizations have ever been removed from the UK terror list since the system was introduced in 2000:
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Three through successful petitions from the groups themselves.
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One via court ruling.
Law Firm Controversy
The law firm that submitted the appeal — Riverway to the Sea — ceased operations in June 2025 and is no longer regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
An investigation was launched into the firm in April after complaints about the social media activity of Fahad Ansari, who had expressed strong pro-resistance views. For instance, he tweeted in 2024 that he hoped “every bullet of the heroic Palestinian resistance hits its mark.” He also published an obituary for Ismail Haniyeh, falsely reported to have been assassinated in Tehran.
His colleague, Frank Megens, was recorded speaking at a Marxism Festival organized by the Socialist Workers Party, where he declared that “Zionism is in crisis” and urged supporters to help bring it to an end.
Support from British Intellectuals
Despite the controversy, the application to lift the Hamas ban was supported by prominent British journalists and academics who submitted written statements emphasizing civil liberties and the importance of open political discourse, especially in the context of the Gaza war.
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