UK police assess post by national security adviser's wife over Palestine Action

British police said on October 16, 2026, that they were assessing a social media post by Sarah Helm, the wife of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, for apparent support of Palestine Action.

Helm is a writer married to Powell, who serves as national security adviser to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, according to Al Jazeera. Police said the assessment would determine whether further investigation was required.

The post, published on X under the handle @SarahHelm1, said: "God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action." Helm's message was written in response to a post defending Irish novelist Sally Rooney.

Rooney had announced that her books would no longer be sold in the United Kingdom over her plans to use royalties to support Palestine Action. Helm's post did not directly state support for the group but has been interpreted as support for it, according to The Telegraph.

Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian direct-action group that is proscribed in the UK as a terrorist organisation, Reuters reported. The UK government outlawed the group in July 2025. Membership or support is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the post was being assessed to determine whether any further police investigation may be required. A UK government spokesperson said Helm's views were held by an individual who does not represent the government in any capacity.