Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
UK Police Assess Post by National Security Adviser’s Wife on Palestine Action
UK police are assessing a social media post by writer Sarah Helm that appeared to support Palestine Action, a group banned in the country.
Helm is married to Jonathan Powell, the UK prime minister’s national security adviser.
She wrote on X, “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action,” while defending Irish novelist Sally Rooney, who plans to give royalties to the group.
The UK banned Palestine Action in 2025 after activists broke into an air base and damaged aircraft; expressing support for the group can be a criminal offence.
More than 3,500 people have been arrested in the UK for alleged support since the ban took effect, according to Amnesty International.
Police have not decided whether to investigate further, and the group’s appeal against the ban is due to be heard by the Supreme Court next month.
Police are assessing an X post by Sarah Helm, wife of national security adviser Jonathan Powell, that said, “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.”
Helm posted in response to a discussion about Irish novelist Sally Rooney’s plans to give royalties to Palestine Action.
The group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK, making support for it a criminal offence.
The government said Helm’s views were those of an individual who does not represent it.
Some groups called for police action, while others defended Helm’s post as free speech.
- Who
- Sarah Helm, a writer and journalist married to national security adviser Jonathan Powell.
- What
- Police are assessing her X post expressing support for authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.
- When
- Helm posted on Thursday, 15 October; police said on Friday that they were assessing it.
- Where
- On X, in the UK.
- Why
- Helm was responding to a discussion about Sally Rooney’s plans to use royalties to support Palestine Action.
Campaign Against Antisemitism
Defend Our Juries and Zack Polanski
Police and legal response
Campaign Against Antisemitism
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said police should investigate and Helm should face the law.
Defend Our Juries and Zack Polanski
Defend Our Juries defended Helm’s post as free speech and called the ban authoritarian; Polanski said she should be commended.
Powell’s position
Campaign Against Antisemitism
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said Powell should publicly denounce the rhetoric.
Defend Our Juries and Zack Polanski
Defend Our Juries argued the ban was unsustainable; Polanski called for Palestine Action to be de-proscribed.
The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
Sarah Helm posted on X in response to discussion of Sally Rooney’s plans to support Palestine Action.
The Metropolitan Police said it was assessing Helm’s post to determine whether further investigation might be required.
The Supreme Court is due to hear an appeal concerning Palestine Action’s proscription.
- Post
- God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.
- Author
- Sarah Helm, wife of national security adviser Jonathan Powell
- Platform
- X
- Group
- Palestine Action, proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK
- Potential penalty
- Up to 14 years in prison for belonging to or supporting the group
5 sources
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Police assess Palestine Action post by national security adviser's wife
UK PM adviser’s wife expresses 'support' for Palestine Action
UK national security adviser under pressure over wife’s comment on supporting Palestine Action
British police assess Palestine Action post by national security adviser’s wife
What people are saying
God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.
being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required.
an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity
Sarah Helm is speaking absolute common sense and should be commended for her bravery.