Palestine Action has attempted to thwart the Government’s terror ban by creating a secret website to recruit activists for further direct action, The Telegraph can reveal.

The protest group said it would continue its activity “regardless of the name it falls under”, as it directed potential recruits to a vetting form for a “new collective” set up an hour before Palestine Action was officially designated a terrorist organisation.

The move to ban the group was spurred by it claiming responsibility for the vandalism of two Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire in June, which police said caused around £7 million of damage.

Support or membership of Palestine Action is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The group’s website has also been blocked in the UK.

On Saturday, hours after the midnight deadline brought the ban into effect, an 83-year-old retired priest was among 29 protesters arrested on suspicion of terror offences. The activists had displayed signs supporting Palestine Action outside Parliament.

In a statement before the protest, Scotland Yard had warned that showing support for the group would lead to prosecution.