By Sam Tobin LONDON (Reuters) -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,

The Home Office has welcomed the ban on Palestine Action, after the group failed to block its proscription with a late-night legal bid. The designation as a terror group means that membership of or support for Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Judgment comes after co-founder of direct action protest group had sought to challenge government order proscribing group under terrorism laws