A former Labour councillor’s window poster in support of Palestine Action has been declared legal because it is “not in public”.

Keith Hackett, 71, admitted he was “gobsmacked” not to have been arrested for his open support of the proscribed group.

Instead, Merseyside Police told him he was in the clear because it was up in a “private dwelling”, The Times reported.

Officers visiting Mr Hackett at his home in Liverpool told him that if he were to display the same poster in a public place, he would then be committing an offence.

Ban imposed after alleged Brize Norton action

Palestine Action was proscribed by Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, on July 5 after a group of its members allegedly entered RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft.

The Metropolitan Police said it would arrest anyone who protested in support of the group. The proscription makes them liable to be charged under the Terrorism Act.

In a conversation posted online, a Merseyside officer told Mr Hackett: “As I’m sure you’re aware, there is no offence with it because it’s in a private dwelling.

“You’re allowed to say that. It would only be an offence if it was in a public place. If you were to take that outside into a public place, then you would be committing an offence.”

The officer added that there was “nothing to say” there had been any racial hatred “stirred up”, as defined under the Public Order act.