Elderly Woman Calls Andy Burnham a 'Bastard' as Police Remove Her From Palestine Action Protest

An elderly woman was filmed calling Prime Minister Andy Burnham a 'bastard' as police removed her from a Palestine Action protest outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Sunday.

The demonstrator was among scores detained after protesters gathered near the Wheel of Liverpool carrying signs supporting the proscribed group on 27 September. Merseyside Police said 82 people were arrested on suspicion of wearing or carrying an article supporting a banned organisation, while another 79 were reported for summons.

However, the woman's insult was not the stated reason for police action.

Elderly Woman Swears at Andy Burnham During Arrest

Footage from the demonstration shows Merseyside Police officers escorting the woman away while she wears a red beret and a Palestine badge.

Asked what she would say to Burnham, she calls him a 'bastard' and repeats the insult while being taken from the protest.

The woman was later identified online as Elizabeth Morley, an 80-year-old activist from West Wales who has become a familiar face at protests against the Palestine Action ban. Morley, the daughter of an Auschwitz survivor, has been arrested several times since the group was proscribed in July 2025.

Morley's background, however, is documented. Cambrian News previously reported that she lives near Aberystwyth and has repeatedly been arrested at demonstrations opposing the Palestine Action ban. The publication identified her as the daughter of Auschwitz survivor Mihaly Steiner and reported that she founded the Aberystwyth Palestine Solidarity group.

Why Palestine Action Protesters Were Arrested

The Liverpool demonstration was organised by Defend Our Juries to challenge the government's ongoing proscription of Palestine Action. The group had specifically called for pressure on Burnham during his first Labour conference as prime minister.

Merseyside Police estimated that around 180 people attended. Its final update said officers dealt with 161 people, arresting 82 and reporting another 79 for summons. Those arrested were subsequently released on bail.

Police also said the arrests were made on suspicion of wearing or carrying an article that supports a proscribed organisation.

Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 covers wearing, carrying or displaying articles in circumstances that arouse reasonable suspicion that someone supports a proscribed organisation. The maximum penalty for that specific offence is six months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both.

However, that is separate from other proscription offences, which can carry higher sentences.

Palestine Action Ban Remains in Force

Palestine Action has been proscribed since 5 July 2025. The Home Office says the organisation crossed the legal terrorism threshold through serious property damage intended to advance its political aims. Campaigners opposing the ban argue that proscription has restricted legitimate political expression.

However, the designation remains subject to a legal challenge. The High Court ruled against the proscription in February, but the Court of Appeal later overturned that decision and held that the Home Secretary's decision was lawful.

The Supreme Court has listed a further appeal.

The Liverpool arrests also included 94-year-old human rights barrister Margaret Owen, according to reports. Amnesty International UK's Kerry Moscogiuri called the arrests of people holding placards a 'shameful attack on freedom of speech.'

Furthermore, Merseyside Police said it respects lawful protest but will take 'proportionate action' where offences are committed. Crucially, the force recorded Sunday's arrests as suspected proscribed-organisation offences. It did not say the elderly woman was removed for insulting Burnham.