UK police assess Sarah Helm’s Palestine Action post as government distances itself

The Metropolitan Police said on 16 October that they were assessing a social media post by author Sarah Helm, wife of UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell, to decide whether further investigation may be needed. The government said her views did not represent it. The post expressed support for Palestine Action, which is banned under UK terrorism law.

Helm wrote on X: ‘God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action.’ The Guardian reported that she was responding to broadcaster Adam Boulton’s criticism of novelist Sally Rooney’s support for the group. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told Reuters the post was ‘being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required’. Police had not announced a decision on a further investigation.

Why Helm’s post drew scrutiny

The Guardian reported that Rooney said she could no longer sell her books in the UK because of her plan to give proceeds from their sales to Palestine Action. Helm’s comment came in defence of Rooney. The dispute has brought renewed attention to how the ban affects expressions of support for the group as well as its direct actions.

Government and campaign groups respond

Asked about Helm’s comment, a government spokesperson said: ‘These views are held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.’ Powell, who is married to Helm, was appointed national security adviser in 2024, the Guardian reported. The government’s statement addressed Helm’s position; it did not announce any action concerning Powell.

The Guardian reported that the Campaign Against Antisemitism called for Helm to face the law and said Powell should publicly denounce her comment if he is to remain in post. Those were the campaign group’s demands, rather than a government decision about Powell’s job or security clearance.

Defend Our Juries, which supports the right to peaceful protest, thanked Helm for what it called defiance of an authoritarian ban, the Guardian reported. Its spokesperson framed the case as a free speech issue and said people had been arrested and had their homes raided after expressing support for Palestine Action on social media.