National Security Adviser’s Wife’s Pro‑Palestine Post Triggers Police Review

Police are assessing a social media post by Sarah Helm, the wife of the government’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell, which referenced Palestine Action, a group designated a terrorist organisation by the Home Office.

Helm, an author and journalist, wrote on X: “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.”

The comment followed a Sky News discussion about author Sally Rooney, whose novels will no longer be supplied to UK booksellers after she announced plans to channel royalties to support Palestine Action.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said Helm is “an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity”. The BBC has attempted to contact her for comment.

The Metropolitan Police said they were made aware of the X post on Thursday, 15 October and are in the process of assessing whether any further investigation is required.

Reform UK MP Danny Kruger has written to the prime minister to raise concerns about the post.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism called the post “gobsmacking” and said Mr Powell, who leads the country’s national security and is deeply involved in Middle East diplomacy, must publicly denounce the rhetoric if he is to remain in office.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski defended Helm, describing her comments as “absolute common sense” and urging that Palestine Action be de‑proscribed, calling its terror label “ludicrous and authoritarian”.

Helm is an author and journalist who has previously worked for the Sunday Times and as a foreign correspondent for the Independent.

Palestine Action describes itself as a “direct action movement” that uses “disruptive tactics”. Earlier this year, four activists were jailed for causing £1.2 million of damage at a UK site belonging to an Israel‑based defence firm.

In 2025 the UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group, stating it would not “tolerate” organisations that endanger national security. Supporting the group became a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The proscription sparked widespread protests, leading to an estimated 3,700 arrests across the UK for publicly expressing support. Around 2,500 people have been charged, but cases have not reached trial pending a Supreme Court challenge to the ban, scheduled for next month.

Jonathan Powell began his career as a diplomat and later served as an adviser in Tony Blair’s government, where he was credited with negotiating a peace deal in Northern Ireland.

He was appointed national security adviser by Sir Keir Starmer in 2024 and retained the role when Andy Burnham became prime minister.

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