Pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action's co-founder on Friday lost a bid to pause the British government's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws, though the group is launching an urgent appeal.

Palestine Action will head to the Court of Appeal hours before a ban against it is due to come into force, to challenge a High Court judge’s refusal to temporarily block it from being designated as a terror group.

More than 20 people have been arrested during a protest in London in support of Palestine Action, a group which has been banned under UK anti-terrorism laws